Picture this… One of the hottest days of summer, live music, dancing, swimming, cocktails flowing. An unexpected house boat pulls up, expanding the dance floor. Someone’s up the hill having a deep conversation, 3 suntanned partygoers are doing a shot-ski beside the dock bar, someone’s jumping on the drum set so the drummer can grab a beer. The most fun annual party on Lake of the Woods, that starts in the afternoon and continues well past the sunset hour… invite and water access only, at Duke’s Dive Bar. Leaning against the railing, following conversations about karaoke and enjoying cocktail refills, this moving red reflection caught the corner of my eye. I turned and was mesmerized. Not by the boat, but by the abstraction of the boat that the reflections created. After losing myself in watching them, in a moment where time seemed to stop, I pulled out my phone, took a few photos, knowing that I would need them for reference someday… to relive the moment again at the easel. The freedom of the reflections dancing to the rhythm of gently swaying water, combined with the vibes and the sunshine came right back to me while I painted this collection of 4 paintings. You never know where inspiration will hit! And hey, if anyone knows who’s boat this is, pass on my compliments of it’s beauty, and this story!
