BRIAN MAHIEU - Cape Flattery - Marine Layer Lifting, Oil on Canvas, 30 X 48 X 1.5

Cape Flattery is one of my favorite spots in Washington, and the westernmost point in the continental United States. When approaching this view, the sound of the ocean’s breathing reaches me first, then the vista opens up. I always gasp and shed a few tears of awe before taking it all in. I love the bird’s eye perspective in this piece. I can feel the cool updraft and smell the ocean, the cedars and spruce. I  hear the sea birds and pounding of the surf in the distance.  

For this painting I challenged myself to do a two part underpainting.  First I put down a turquoise imprimatura layer and let that dry.  Then I created a contrasting lavender underpainting of the value structure of the scene allowing the turquoise to show through in places. This created a very rich starting point for the painting—instantly atmospheric and vibrating with complementary hues. I allowed more light and color to enter this piece, capturing those moments when the marine layer is lifting and sunlight filters in. 

I used nearly two of the large, 150 ml. tubes of white paint in this piece and many other precious pigments. The canvas is heavy from the impasto of paint.  Luscious slabs of pastel hues evoke the morning light on the water and glassy teal greens, blues and kelp hues shine in the shadows of the sea stacks.