I live in Redondo Beach in Southern California. My house is very close to the beach so I can't help but be inspired by the Pacific Ocean and the South Bay beaches.
![first time by the Pacific. Enjoying the waves. Squealing at the waves](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0016/9512/1460/files/IMG_0171_480x480.jpg?v=1635975157)
This is me and my daughter standing in front of the Pacific for the first time, 5 years ago! We kept screaming like idiots as we were alarmed by the waves. My daughter loves swimming in the ocean now - I'm still terrified but I do it because I love the feeling of exhilaration!
The beach and ocean really are both calming and exhilarating and I am enthralled by the changing colors of the water. But I never feel inspired to just paint sky and water - I am always drawn to structures.
![Abstract lifeguard tower. Unusual angle of lifeguard tower. Seascape art](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0016/9512/1460/files/Ave_B_copy_480x480.jpg?v=1569091347)
'Ave B'
![Misty Pier painting. Abstract pier painting in pastel colors. Manhattan Beach pier](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0016/9512/1460/files/Misty_pier_on_wall_2_480x480.jpg?v=1635975819)
'Misty Pier'
With these structures I love the negative spaces and I like the way I can play with colors within these spaces. I also like the way I can play with angles or views or perspectives. The piers and lifeguard towers are incredibly common subjects for artworks but I like to feel I bring a uniqueness with my style of painting and unusual color choices and angles.
![Californian Coastal Sunset painting. Bright reds and oranges and yellows. Abstract Hermosa Beach Pier.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0016/9512/1460/files/Californian_Coastal_Sunset_480x480.jpg?v=1635976059)
'Californian Coastal Sunset'
![End of the Day painting. Fauvist lifeguard tower. Redondo Beach art.](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0016/9512/1460/files/End_of_the_Day_-_fireplace_480x480.jpg?v=1635976165)
'End of the Day'
I am constantly grateful that I am able to live so close to the ocean (though my friends do hear me complain about the mess of sand and the sun being too hot!) My family and I have had many wonderful days on the beach or cycling along by the ocean and we have enjoyed some amazing sunsets.
![Sunset over the pacific. Southern California sunset](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0016/9512/1460/files/IMG_1828_480x480.jpg?v=1635976486)
These colors just make me want to grab a paintbrush! So I'm off to paint and I will see you next week.
Thanks for reading,
Alison