Lovers Key State Park

The Silent Hour
Oil on panel, 14x11

On the path to the beach at Lovers Key State Park in Fort Myers, Florida, there is a boardwalk next to a mangrove swamp.  I set up my easel on the boardwalk and tilted my umbrella to give my painting some shade.  It was early in the morning, and very quiet.  Herons flew across the water as I painted.  Some rested in the mangroves.  After a while, beachgoers started to walk past me.  Most of them stopped to look.  I have gotten used to painting in front of people, but I still find it hard to paint and answer questions at the same time.  I admire the plein air teachers who can do a demo and talk at the same time.