I know what ailed and fell my dad and his dad before him. That's enough for me to have a resigned sense of the possible, and a determination not to be accommodating. Relative to the unknown, I would prefer to keep it so and measure my life by how well I both hoped and prayed for the best while ensuring we were prepared for the worst.

A very good idea, Mike. It's SoCal in June, Indian Lake in PA in July or Aug...the Gulf this fall!

I should take a poll of that the next beach I should tackle...my old stomping grounds of El Porto don't quite generate the same visual excitement of Blacks.

Thanks, Mike.  I always conceived my Cowgirl Surfer character as an icon for the Texas coast surfing scene, and a custom line of apparel for my girls and their friends.   The Texas flag is featured prominently in the concept, taking the form of a her trusted surf board.  The idea morphed into an attempt at a childrens book, Cowgirl Surfer- Daddy's Little Surfer Girl.  Based on the size of the surf portrayed, its obvious either very much a fairy tale, or very much not based in Texas.  So the hat and board are nods to all those little girls learning to surf on the Gulf Coast.   And I say attempt because as currently conceived, it succeeds more as a music video than a stand alone narrative.  The music drives the narrative more than the words written.  Take away the music and the results are much flatter.  More needs to be said, and less inferred, when the music is not their to create the inferences for you.  Alas, then, it remains yet another unfinished project.  It didn't stop me though from dreaming up a sequel though, one equally rich in image, and just as lacking in story...

OK, Maestro...here you are...first the pastel original than the digital transformation...

Pastel Original V3...

Digital Underpainting V3

The site is BeFunky.com . There might be better sites out there with more options...but I have figured out how to make this one work and its simpler than photoshop in its standard features.

I have been hesitant with the blue... Almost denying that it was the actual color being conveyed, since its not in the natural pallet of terrain. I now see that the purple I applied, mixed with brown was going the opposite direction. I think I do have one more swag in me...no way I am passing up the opportunity for some lessons. I have always tended to be happy with good, not quite knowing how to get to better without starting net new in the next effort. Getting direction on the work in progress is quite novel...and more than appreciated. Check back later for the next round. I will be waiting with a Becks.

I think it's the loss of the Becks that bums me out most!

Indaba, I took your advice.  Please let me know what you think.

Thanks, Larry. I hope I didn't disappoint too much in the explanation in my other post.

I am sorry about misspelling your name...it was an auto correct on my iPhone. I spelled it correctly, them didn't realize it changed it on me. You will be happy to know that I didn't put my first ever art advice to rest without giving it a go. I have made the adjustments and will rescan it tomorrow. We will see how the image turns out when I convert it. But already, I see an improvement in the pastels.Thanks again for the advice.

Indiana...that is a fantastic suggestion. Just thinking back on my color selection this afternoon, I knew the black was too extreme, but didn't explore other tones. Thanks for the good words. I think I really need to take up some real water coloring one of these days.

I think I was capturing Scripps in the background of my closing installment just as you wrote your comment.   As my post mentions, I need to put this creative impulse to rest for a while.  I will look into more specific Scripps images and see if I can find something iconic enough to do for my next surf exhibit, assuming there is an interest in my doing so.

In any event, I am honored by your request and look forward to actually doing it.  

Thanks, Larry.  I have been enjoying doing them.  This itch is just about scratched...I have one more planned, the last of the Blacks Beach trilogy before I switch my brain back over to catching up on some writing.   I am thinking my next adventure in colors might be an exploration into golf photography.  Or skiing.  But perhaps skiiing should wait until winter.

It was referenced on my Facebook page, by a particularly beautiful person to boot.  I remember stumbling upon the views you describe on a long walk south that began in Del Mar.   I didn't have the mastery of the language to call it as it was, wrinkled and crusty, but I appreciate the description today, even as it springs forth well forgotten memories.

Awesome Doc. I hope to have the second part done this weekend, a other view I hope you will find just as memorable.