"Christian’s Boogie"

I think the tongue out helps him concentrate on this wave. I like his determination. He's got his eyes on the prize. And that is rolling off the board on the wet sand after riding all the way into the shore.

"Ben"

Watercolor - 10 x 10"

Here Ben is starting out on a walk. He is so helpful in pulling the wagon, and it is only a matter on minutes until he is too tired to pull.  Then he is too tired to walk, and soon he is sleeping in the wagon.

"Christian"

I started this project in the fall of 2007. I plan on putting together a little narrative of a day at the beach through my kids eyes - what they do, what they see, etc. Hopefully it will turn it into a book. This is my 5 year old, Christian. Of all my children, he shows the most promise for someday being a big wave charger. Just check out the form - the confidence and even fearlessness as he navigates the shorepound at Torrey Pines. I couldn't be more proud.

"Boogie Board"

Watercolor - 9 x 16"

I figure I need some paintings that can go on pages that would have words on them, but nothing else. They are for like decoration. This one is funny. Ben likes to bring his boogie board to the beach every time, because his brothers do. So far he has never even gotten his feet wet with his board.

"Camp"

This is my wife and her friends all set up for the day. I am finding its harder than I thought it would be to tell a story with paintings and make it fit into one day at the beach, but I am enjoying the challenge.

"The Walk"

Here is a part of the group that goes on the walks. I would like to have included everyone that meets at the beach, but 8 people was enough of a challenge for me to paint. I like this scene, because it shows the walkers and the destination. And there is not many better places to take walks along the beach in San Diego than at Torrey Pines

"The Wagon"

Here, Christian is pulling a sleeping Benjamin. Whenever we take a walk, Ben usually falls asleep in the wagon half way through. Then when we are all done and tired, he'll wake up and be ready for his walk.

"White Rock"

A big part of the walk we take is finding the little white rocks. Its like finding gold. They look so great, especially when they are wet, and compared to the other rocks around them.

"Fishing"

The mighty boys hunting for fish. These are the brave who challenge themselves and the elements to complete a successful hunt. They actually did catch a little fish in the net. It was cool.

"The Squirrel"

Ben takes a few minutes out to commune with the natives in the area.

"Mr Crabs"

The ever elusive crab is really pretty easy to catch. If my boys can do it, that is. And they get so excited when they are successful with their hunt. Everything seems so fun through the eyes of a 6 year old.

"Lunch"

Feeling like real lifeguards, the group takes a break to re-energize.

"Looking"

The mighty hunters searching for crabs - the prize catch of the day. Just like on that show 'Deadliest Catch'.

"Drip Castle"

I am not 6, but it is still fun to make drip castles.

"The Walk"

This is after going to the tide pools. Everyone runs to get there, and has a great time playing, but the walk back is a little calmer. Cameron and Christian are joined by their friends CJ and Allie. They always have a lot of fun together.

"Still Digging"

Watercolor - 10 x 16"

When we get back from the walks, and the sun starts to get low to the horizon, there is still much fun to be had. We resume digging in the sand and rebuild our drip castles. Sometimes they get really big, and other times they get destroyed by invaders who are establishing their own kingdom. I don't know what all that was I just wrote. I guess I am trying to start to put words to the pictures I have been painting. I need to remember it is for kids though. I'll write it all later.

"Fisherman"

There was this guy fishing towards the end of the day who was so nice to these little kids. He told them all about the fish he was catching, and all the other ones in the water out there, and even let them play with his fishing pole for a while - reeling it in and holding it like a real fisherman. It was great. I hope he knows how much all the kids loved it

"Close to Sundown"

When the day starts to wind down, no one wants to think about leaving yet.

I’m not done with the paintings yet.  I have some more to do.  Then I need to find a way to publish it.  I have no idea how to do that, so if anyone that sees this has any suggestions, I would love to hear them. 

Home

“Little Lake”

One morning when the tide was really high, some of the water got caught high up on the beach, and it made a cool lake that was perfect for Ben to float on. 

“End of the Wave”

Christian likes to ride all the way to the sand.  How else would he know the ride was over unless the wave stopped taking him in?

“Hi”

Hi.  I’m Christian, and these are my brothers Cameron and Benjamin.

Above, Christian pauses to check out the dolphins as they pass by - very close to the shore. And to the left is the catch of the day.  The boys thought hermit crabs and the fish would get along great, but they didn’t have much to say to each other.  But they did add some sand and seaweed to the bucket more closely represent the creatures natural habitat.  I’m sure they felt right at home.

  This is of my beautiful wife, Michelle, and youngest son Ben playing in the water.  It looks like fun, huh?