Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Beachcombing in December





The last couple of days have been very windy and rainy and the wind direction churned the sea.  Even though I live about 5 minutes drive from the ocean, I could hear it pounding against the cliffs when I went outside.  Lying it bed I could feel it. It became a subtle but rhythmic thud, almost like a heart beat, vibrating through the land.

Early this morning I went to the sea, both in Flatrock and Torbay, to take some photos.  The ocean had calmed a lot since yesterday but was still pretty rough and the power of the waves hitting the land was still very evident.




The beach in Middle Cove was deserted.  I was probably the only one foolish enough to be out at that hour in the cold to gaze at the sea.  There were a few casualties of the storm:  a young seagull who misjudged waves and wind and a small sea star, ripped from its ocean bed and placed on the beach by the surf.  Of course the find of a sea star brought only one thing to mind - gyotaku printing!  I brought the little Christmas star home and am busily making lots of prints with it.  Some are on printing paper, some on tissue, some on cards and some on watercolour paper, ready for washes of colour to be added.

The little sea star will be washed, dried and popped into the freezer for another printing session after Christmas.  More images from the prints will be shared over on Watermarks tomorrow.

8 comments:

Jennifer Rose said...

i love those pictures :D I really want to go visit the sea now....

i think the prints are cute, odd thing to say probably ;) but they are :) I'm going to keep my eye out for something like this star next time we go to the sea but so far all I have seen or dozens of dead jelly fish :/ don't think they would work (and couldn't pick them up any way)

M said...

It's an odd bit of weather we've been having in the last week. My 3 year old granddaughter summed it all up yesterday when she stepped outside and looked confused and said, It's summer,Nana."

Beach combing is a summer sport for me. I always connect it to my summer house where the weather and lots of free time move me to explore. How different your description of beach combing in winter sounds.

I like your end results. Have a happy holiday season.
Margaret

Jo Castillo said...

Beautiful. It does look cold. We are in the forties here in TX today, so guess we are considerably warmer than you! Love the prints. Have a Merry Christmas and may your holidays be filled with family, fun, love and art! In any order. :)

Terry Banderas said...

Over the years I have realized that you work hard in all that you do. Merry Christmas. Your way with words described perfectly the pounding surf as you fall off to sleep.

Stacy said...

Jeanette, I love the deep peacock blue color of the waves and the amazing shots of the waves crashing on the cliffs. It must have been cold out there on the beach, but so definitely worth it!

Merry Christmas!

Jeanette Jobson said...

No, you're right Jennifer, the little sea star is cute. The sea always holds an attraction for me. Do go when you get the chance, its even more interesting in winter.

Margaret, I agree, the weather is different this year. Your grand daughter has insight. :)

I have always explored beaches in winter - and summer too. But in winter they are deserted and more interesting things are found as well as shape shifting in the land itself. Have a lovely Christmas.

Thank you Jo. It was about 1C there yesterday morning and the wind made it feel colder. I was glad of a hat and gloves.

Enjoy your Christmas and have a wonderful New Year.

Terry, life, especially here at times, defines work and work defines life. I've come to realize over time that you get out what you put in.

Merry Christmas.

Stacy, I love the colours of the sea and breaking waves too. I could have stayed there for hours if I wasn't so cold from the wind.

Enjoy your holidays with your family. Merry Christmas.

bonne destination said...

Dear Jeanette,

Merry Christmas and thanks for all the pleasure your site has given me over the past year.

Best Wishes,

Joan.

Peggy Montano & Paintings said...

I love this slide show. These are wonderful photographs and make me want to see the actual landscape.
p.s. I also agree with the comments about Christmas. We do family togetherness at the American Thanksgiving.