Eco Trip, Oil Painting of Colorful Kayaks on Island Shore by Judy Batterson, Florida Artist

This painting continues to draw viewers into it as they want to explore the island with the kayakers who are out counting turtle nests! That was happening when I first saw the kayaks on the sand while I was in a nearby boat. The kayaks belonged to the Marine Discovery Center of Volusia County, FL. Capturing that adventure in oil made an exciting painting experience! The painting has won many awards and most recently was chosen for the city of Casselberry 2014 Art Calendar.

Eco Trip, a Florida Beach Painting of Kayaks on Sand by Judy Batterson

When I discovered the colorful kayaks pulled up on the sand of an island on the Intracoastal Waterway, I loved the scene! I took lots of photos because I was in a boat viewing it, and then I painted the scene in the studio. The intriguing part of this was that it was so still, hot and calm that day, and there were no clues to the whereabouts of the people. I found out later that the Marine Discovery Center in Volusia County had sent volunteers out to search for turtle nests. Although I have posted this painting before, I am reposting it because it has been chosen for the Biennial VI Exhibit at the Museum of Florida Art in DeLand, FL. Exhibit runs from Nov. 11 to March 4, 2012.

Eco Trip, Beach Art Florida Oil Landscapes with Kayaks by Judy Batterson

This work combines all that I want to express in a painting, and I am very excited about it. On a boating trip to the Mosquito Lagoon, I passed an island where four kayaks were pulled up next to a beached old rowboat. The bright colors of the kayaks were dazzling against the white sandy beach. I captured it in photos and sketches, compelled to put a composition together to paint the scene. Discovering the beauty of Florida is an adventure. What a joy to paint this, even though it took much longer than I ever anticipated! Exploring coastal Florida is a celebration of an ecological treasure...a real eco trip! 24 x 30" oil on panel.

Eco Trip, a Coastal Florida Oil Landscapes with Kayaks by Judy Batterson

I am very excited about this work because it captures everything I want to say in a painting. I was in a boat on the Intracoastal Waterway when I saw four kayaks pulled up next to an old rowboat beached on a island. The bright colors of the kayaks were dazzling on the white sand. I took as many photos as possible and then started sketching the composition. This was natural
ecological Florida being discovered and enjoyed by modern explorers! The painting took much longer to paint than I ever anticipated because I had to let the layers of the sand dry before painting each kayak. What a joy to paint coastal Florida in this way! I felt like I was "on the island" with each brushstroke. Painting size is 24 x 36" original oil on masonite.
For more Florida natural oil landscapes, visit my website at
www.judybatterson.com.