AS THE SUN GOES DOWN is a view from Kailua-Kona. I painted the sunrise en plein air every day and loved the daily changes in the cloud formations and color of the sky ( and of course the water).  This painting is from late in the afternoon when the wave crests would glow before the sun set. “AS THE SUN GOES DOWN” is painted with a 4” trowel palette knife.  I feel that the knife nudges me to minimize my strokes, use cleaner and broken color, see big shapes, and most of all stop and think (!) before I apply a knife-ful of paint. How much can be accomplished with a single pass? Can I create the impression of something without directly rendering it? How can I create interest without detail?  Where will compatible color transitions make it pleasing to look at as a color study. How can I best inspire the viewer’s own imagination?   Can I stimulate a feeling of awe and wonder?  

This painting was developed from photos  and plein air studies of the crashing waves in Kailua-Kona, HI.