Park #134 – Curry Hammock State Park

On our second day in the keys we traveled from Islamorada south to Curry Hammock State Park. The wind was howling and gusting to 30mph from a “cold” front that passed through the night before. Luckily for us, it was still very warm and the park was on the “good” side, so the mangroves provided a little protection from the wind.

I set up to paint on the beach area, behind a small drop off that I thought would provide a little protection from the wind. Rick fished the flats right in front of me. It’s nice when we can both do what we enjoy, but still be close!

Rick had an audience of Japanese tourists. They were thrilled when he caught a fish in front of them and took tons of photos and video of him. I wonder if he’s gone viral in Japan?!

When I first started to paint there was a heron hidden in the mangroves. I wanted to add him to the painting, but as soon as I got out the brushes he flew away! Oh well, I thought the mangroves and rocks still made a nice composition.

When I was just about done with painting, the park ranger came by to say hello. Just as I turned around to talk with him, the winds blew over my easel! So much for my wind protection! Face down in the sand went the painting and solvent, and brushes went everywhere! This isn’t the first time I’ve had this happened and the painting only got a bit of sand on the top corner. It was easy to fix with just a wipe and a few strokes of fresh paint. I left a few grains of beach sand stuck to the paint. The lucky person who gets this painting will have a bit of sand from the keys to keep forever!

Luckily the ranger had some extra mineral spirits in his garage and he was nice enough to refill my paint tin for me and I was all set to paint the next park!

For more information about this park, visit their website

Curry Hammock Mangroves – 8×10″ oil on linen panel

 

Heron hides in the mangrove

Kayaks ready to go

Couple walks on the beach

Rick fishes the flats

Entrance sign

Hermit crabs everywhere!

Another hermit crab

Playground on the beach

Painting in progress