Reddish Marsh Heron Study

Welcome.

These birds in flight and wading for dinner are as about elegant a scene as I find on my adventures around the shore. Great Blues, Little Egrets, Great Egrets
Little Blues, Snowy Egret, Black Crowned Night Herons,Bitterns, Green Marsh Herons and Cattle Egret are my neighbors in the marsh.

If you stay tuned over time you will see many of them in my work or as a featured subject.

This one is a watercolor on D'Arches paper. It is in a private collection.

Hope everybody's Thanksgiving was delicious and happy. Throughout the day I found that there were so many more things to be thankful for that I had overlooked. Sometimes it takes a moment to slow down and reflect.

More to come....

All art copyright Alan Phillips 2014

The Ultimate Dubliner.....

Welcome.

This is a very stylized portrait of James Joyce that I completed some time ago. I know this is a place where mostly coastal and wildlife genres rule, however I think Mr. Joyce may have enjoyed a wild life for a moment or two.

Thing is, sometimes I look at older works and well, quite frankly they hold up. I was always fond of this one. Considered Ulysses, Dubliners and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man required reading when I was an artist as a young man. Great literature, writers and books have been faithful companions and beloved educators in my life since the time when I could read my first sentence.

It is an oil painting on canvas 22x18 inches.

One of the things I admired about Joyce was the strength of his mind, his determination and unapologetic conviction of his talent and it's value. Besides every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man. Thank you ZZ.

Here in the USA we are on the cusp of our Thanksgiving celebration. I am grateful for so much in my life. I wish all who are reading this whether celebrating in your country or not happiness in your life and to notice all of your own good fortune. Thanks for checking in.

More to come....

All art and images copyright Alan Phillips 2014

Lazy afternoon in St Augustine.

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What is it about taking a nap? Choosing a perfect spot with perfect light, perfect quiet or outside with a perfect breeze. It could be a big comfy chair, a welcoming couch, a secluded window seat or my personal favorite a Chesapeake Hammock. The big schnooze, under and out, a spellbound quick dream no more than an hour. You wake up feeling refreshed, renewed, revived and rejuvenated! Ah, but that that sensual, delightful descent is what it's all about. You snuggle down, no cares and then drift into bliss.

This was a very good friend of mine. Her beauty was classic and she carried herself with style, taste, smarts, manners, elegance and a generous heart. She was a gifted napper.

I painted this one as a watercolor on watercolor board 30x40 inches it was sold for $4,500.00 US.

More to come....

All images copyright Alan Phillips 2014

Oh, I remember days when it felt like it was raining daisies.....

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The first time I heard that line it was sung by Kenny Rankin but equally as profound sung by John Sebastian to a different arrangement. I thank them both for I smile big when I hear either of them.

Imagine a day when the temperature is in the low 70s. She is smart, beautiful, funny, confident charming and an athlete (tennis, swimming and fencing). She speaks four languages conversationally and has pitch perfect taste in fashion and food.

This was such a day. She was on her way to have a picnic with me in a place that only we knew. Baguettes, bordeaux and some pellegrino were packed in her bike basket with a riot of daisies and I brought the blanket, the camembert, wine glasses and an anticipation of immortality. Our affections were strewn about the landscape with tender abandon. There were such days once upon a time. They were hers and they were mine.

The wisdom of the sages suggest that when you have a choice; choose happiness. It is however a state of mind that must be defined. This painting was one of my happy moments in time, in my life.

It is a watercolor on board 24x 12 inches. Sold. $2,500.00 US. It was purchased by a scientist in the USA.

Don't forget you can visit Zazzle.com and look under sunnybeachman to find many watercolors I have done printed on phone holders, caps, mugs, t-shirts and items too many to name!

More to come....

All images copyright Alan Phillips 2014

Gratitude for those who give....

Welcome.

All over the world there are people who give their time, money, talents and love to those in need. Thank you.

This is the life saving station in Jacksonville Beach Florida , USA. The adults and the kids that work there and save lives there work their tails off in training and alert readiness preparation. You can get a look at the new recruits getting a punishing regimental workout each day in the begining of each new season.

As an artist when I first moved to the area it was a 'must do' item for me to put on my list to paint . It has that old mission style architecture and always enjoys the sun from every angle in the sky each day giving it a prominent landmark position on the beach for miles.

This is a watercolor on board 20x30 inches. Sold. The original asking price was $3,500.00 US

Volunteering is a thread that holds together the tapestry of our humanity evident in our works. Salut

More to come....

All art and images on this blog copyright Alan Phillips 2014

Miles from nowhere....

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Miles from nowhere, Guess I'll take my time, Oh yeah, to reach there...what a great line from that Cat Stevens tune. I often feel that spirit when I get a chance to wander in a new coastal terrain. I do take the road less traveled. I am actually in pursuit of it. My lifelong friend Kerry once said to me, "We are the ones clearing the path of the road less traveled."  KT had wisdom to spare.

There are times that I question the logic of this. There are times that I know I would not have been immersed in such abundant splendor had I not taken that road.

When I am barefoot on soft sand walking towards a vista of calm ocean and enjoying the rainbow of color reflected in the clouds during a sunset, it brings me a feeling of wellness every time. I send that thought off to you right now.

 This is an oil painting on canvas 18x24. Sold. $3,000.00

More to come......

All images and art copyright Alan Phillips 2014

A quick sketch of Claude

Welcome.

Every now and again even though I make my living as an artist it's fun to do a sketch or a small work just because I delight in the making of the art. These are often sketches of my favorite creators from art, photography, literature, music, dance, architecture, actors and thinkers. I will include them from time to time while in the process of creating more coastal art for galleries, private sales and commissions.

Claude Monet has informed so much of my light and color vocabulary along with the inspiration to think and find one's own way. Merci beaucoup.

I have been looking at and enjoying his art for over 30 years and it still holds it's power for me. Something I aspire to live up too.

More to come....

All art and images copyright Alan Phillips 2014