Salt Self, Rabbit Island No. 414

But I will live
nowhere except here, by Ocean, trusting
equally in all the blast and welcome
of her sorrowless, salt self.

– Mary Oliver, from Red Bird

Inspired by the last lines of the poem “Ocean” by Mary Oliver and the wild waves of Makapuu near Rabbit Island on Oahu.

This 6×6 inch painting is a part of my daily painting “alla prima” project. Translated from Italian alla prima means “at once” and refers to the method of painting in one application and without retouching. When painting this way you need to make sure you finish the painting you are working before the paint completely dries, no layering. Since I use acrylic paint it means I have to work very fast! I love striving toward this approach because it means every stroke must count and not be reworked later. To simplify the process I use a limited color palette of 6-7 colors and just two brushes for these small paintings.

This is an original 6×6 inch acrylic painting on a cradled birch plywood panel and is signed and numbered on the back. Painting is on a 3/4″ (2 cm) traditional panel which can be hung just as it is with it’s simple wood edge or it can also be framed for a more finished look. I offer 6×6 float frames in maple as an add on for an additional $45. Your painting will be mounted in the frame before shipping. Add on frame options are listed in the painting and daily special section.