I love this painting because it captures perfectly the casual lazy feel of two friends hanging out in the sand and especially the way the woman's face is basically cut in two by the pole. These are very modern choices that remind me somewhat of Manet. The way their bodies are covered with both shade and sun is excellent, as is the somewhat muted (not too bright) light.

This painting has a lovely minimal composition to it and a serenity in its palate that perfectly captures a late summer evening in L.A. I also like the shadows and curve of the slide very much, and the way in which the turquoise color pops with the pink sky behind it, which also has some lovely gradations of light and color. Lastly, I love the fact that the scene is empty; it’s lovely, but also somewhat lonely.

This is an exquisite example of watercolor virtuosity, which captures that lazy summer vibe of L.A. Beach towns. It’s subtle and quick; it feels very spontaneous.

An interesting and somewhat atypical composition to choose, the rocks, with their geometric angles and shadows underneath are painted with both subtlety and confidence. It’s a perfect little painting, and I think we should also recognize that good art sometimes comes in small packages!