Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz

Steamer Lane, Santa Cruz

original oil painting, 8x10
SOLD

I was painting in Santa Cruz the other day, on West Cliff Drive near the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum and lighthouse.  I chose another view but took a photo of Steamer Lane, a famous surfing spot in Santa Cruz.  Steamer Lane has consistent surf and two distinct beautiful waves, add to that a warm, sunny day and there were plenty of surfers in the water.

I chose this composition because of the cast shadows on the cliffs created by the angle of the sun. It is a long drop down from the cliffs to the ocean where the rocky bottom contrasts with the shallow greenish water.   

View of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz

View of Monterey Bay, Santa Cruz

original oil painting, 8x10
SOLD

The ocean in Santa Cruz is part of the Monterey Bay Marine Sanctuary, some of northern California’s most beautiful shoreline. Along West Cliff Drive in Santa Cruz are stunning views of the cliffs and the ocean.
  

I was attracted to this particular scene because of the colorful iceplant in the foreground, contrasting with the jagged cliffs against the ocean.  I've used cerulean blue in the painting, although I've found it tricky to integrate into my oil paintings.  Cerulean is a bold, pure pigment that leans toward azure and is often used in skies and reflections on water. I think it works well in this composition of the coastline on a bright fall day.