Project #83: Day at the Beach

Day at the Beach

© Sarah McCay and A Lost Feather, 2010.

I have not been to the beach once this summer and it is already July 27th. Not ok.

This image is from a trip Mel and I took down to Florida back in 2008 (that’s her in the picture!) I can’t believe how fast 2 years have gone by. I feel like that vacation was last week. I also feel like I graduated from college 5 minutes ago and had my 21st birthday this year, so I guess I’m not a very good judge of time.

In any event, I need to get to the beach before there’s snow on the ground. Geez.

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Project #27: “For You Blue”- The Beatles

"For You Blue"- The Beatles

© Sarah McCay and (Artistic) Trial and Error, 2010.

Today was so beautiful, mainly because it was warm: 45°F. That said this picture was not taken today- I did do all the Photoshop processing today though! Also made a trip to the beach (just not anywhere near where this picture was taken.)

Have you ever noticed how 45° in the winter seems extremely warm, while 45° in the middle of fall seems freezing cold? Funny how that is. This phenomenon is extremely evident in Rochester, NY, where I went to school. In Rochester, where the sun shines for an average of 61 days per year(fact) and snow falls for the rest(my educated guess) anyone could tell when the temperature reached 32°- proven by the shorts and summery dresses that would emerge with the “hot” temperature.

As they say, I digress.

This picture was taken months ago on a trip to Key West, FL and Mexico with Mel. Now that I think about it, it was over a year ago. Apparently time really does fly, who knew? (Mel we need to plan another trip.)

Inspired by the bright 4pm sun I saw over the ocean today at Jones Beach, I decided to search through my files for an old shot that I could doctor up in Photoshop. I had a lot of fun with this one, that dynamic sky and gleaming water was just mesmerizing to me. I hope it is for you as well!

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Project #15: Sail on Still

Pencil on 85.in x 11in bristol

Sail on Still

© Sarah McCay and (Artistic) Trial and Error, 2010.

Lovely weekend in Montauk (even if it was below freezing the entire time.)

Winter out east is wonderful. Nice restaurants have great deals, the summer crowds are nowhere to be found, a ghost town feel fills the air. It’s surreal to imagine the masses of people who park themselves on the Montauk beaches during the summer while you stand there in the freezing cold- miles of beach untouched by anyone other than yourself (and the one you’re with.)

Our weekend was simple and consisted of sleeping late, driving the desolate roads and eating-brunch, dinner, and snacks of cheese and red wine. On Saturday we had brunch at Anthony’s Pancake house around noon (Bird on the Roof is my all time favorite breakfast place, but is closed for the season.) We searched for rocks (for me to paint on) by the lighthouse, then took a drive into Sag Harbor where we stopped for coffee (and tea) and meandered around the winding roads and massive homes. We ate dinner at North by Northeast while enjoying views of icy Fort Pond, where I learned to sail summers ago.

We saw boats dry docked and covered in tarp, hibernating for the winter at Gosman’s along with a few floating out on the freezing water, sails down. These brave souls inspired my “Sail on Still” drawing. My favorite part of this sketch is the reflection. It almost looks like the boat is sitting on a sheet of glassy ice, which is what I imagined. Strangely, the reflection was the easiest part to create. I suppose the boat would have come easier if I were copying it from somewhere other than my imagination, but I didn’t think of that as I was sketching. All I could think was “hm, I thought I knew what a sailboat looked like.”

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