January 30, 2024

Swimming at Moonlight Beach‍ in Encinitas is more than just a pastime; it’s the heart of my artistic process. It’s my office, studio, and laboratory all in one. While some people wear lab coats and study in research facilities, I wear a swimsuit and study the Pacific. Each swim immerses me in the ocean’s changing colors, deep blues, rich greens, and shifting hues as sunlight dances across the surface. I become acutely aware of the ocean’s gradation, value, and chroma, all displayed effortlessly by nature.

The water’s movement, temperature shifts, and filtered sunlight create a whole sensory experience. These moments aren’t fleeting. They stay with me, imprinted in memory and recalled when I return to my easel to paint. Whether painting or sculpting, what I gather during my swims influences my work. The ocean’s energy, color palette, and rhythm inspire me to create. Swimming at Moonlight Beach is more than a habit; it’s an essential part of my artistic journey.