Every year I take a trip with three wonderful friends that I met when I was living in Colorado. This year we were in Roatan with plans to catch up over good meals and morning scuba dives. I had been to Roatan before but pretty much stayed and had all my meals at a dive resort so I didn’t see much of the Island and I was looking forward to exploring a bit. While this was not really a painting trip, I did make time to paint between activities.
I’ve added the people to this view of West Bay Beach to convey a sense of the activity. Turns out this is a really nice snorkel beach. We enjoyed daytime snorkeling near the point and a night time snorkel just a bit beyond. I lost count of the free swimming octopus we saw in our flashlights. “West Bay Beach” (11″ x 14″ oil on linen panel)
The rock outcropping at the end of the beach is made of ancient coral which has been undercut by the waves. This made a particularly good painting spot because it was the only spot on the beach with shade. I enjoyed observing the color changes (shade vs sunlit) on the beach and foreground water while I was painting. “West Bay Rocks” (10″ x 8″ oil on linen panel)
The town of West End is actually east of West Bay Beach. I think the road was extended after the town was established. I really enjoyed this town particularly because of the low key local (rather than resort) feel. And, it’s easy to catch a water taxi between the town and larger beach. “Roatan Water Taxis” (8″ x 10″ oil on linen panel)
One of the places we stayed was a very nice house in a small resort development. I am not completely sure that I would have thought the adjacent horse stable would be plus but it was all so well kept there were no downsides and I was able to practice painting one of the residents. “Island Pony” 8″ x 10″ oil on linen panel
Hibiscus flowers just sing of the tropics making it fun to paint the intense colors and happy forms. “Tangerine Hibiscus” 6″ x 6″ oil on panel