Beach World

Where does reality mold into fantasy without being prompted? Where do shy dogs and wild-eyed children turn into fast cheetahs within a moment's notice? Having been a privileged summertime resident at town along a wide open stretch of the publicly-owned Oregon beach, I’ve seen where this can and does happen. Multiple times a day. I’ve seen young children behaving like playful monkeys. Wooly dogs acting like curious lions while bravely smelling a mysterious beached ocean creature. Solace seekers regularly deposit their care. Mystical treasures are found by youthful (and not so youthful) enchanted hands. Magical lighting can envelop and transfix, making changes so fast, what’s normal is forgotten. It’s hard to find a natural environment that can alter experience as satisfactorily and completely as the long, wide, open beach at Manzanita.

 
 
 
 
Beach Star Painting by Laura Ross-Paul. Figures on a beach.

Beach Star, 2021, sumi/walnut and iridescent ink, wax + resin seal, oil on canvas, 60 x 48 in.

Ocean Jellies Painting by Laura Ross-Paul. Jellyfish.

Ocean Jellies, 2022, sumi/walnut and iridescent ink, wax + resin seal, oil on canvas, 60 x 48 in.

Swimmers and Flyers Painting by Laura Ross-Paul. People swimming with flippers.

Swimmers and Flyers, 2022, sumi/walnut and iridescent ink, wax + resin seal, oil on canvas, 40 x 36 in.

Wagging Lion Painting by Laura Ross-Paul. Person walking toward lion.

Wagging Lion, 2021, sumi/walnut and iridescent ink, wax + resin seal, oil on canvas, 60 x 48 in.

Monkeys of Short Sands Painting by Laura Ross-Paul. Group of people at shoreline.

Monkeys of Short Sands, 2022, sumi/walnut and iridescent ink, wax + resin seal, oil on canvas, 120 in. (diptych).

Wet Sand Solice Painting by Laura Ross-Paul. Supine figure.

Wet Sand Solice, 2021, tinted PVA size, sumi/walnut and iridescent ink, wax + resin seal, oil on canvas, 28 x 22 in.

Three Cheetahs Painting by Laura Ross-Paul. A man with three cheetahs.

Three Cheetahs, 2021, tinted PVA size, marble dust, sumi/walnut and iridescent ink, wax + resin seal, oil on canvas, 28 x 22 in.

Moonlit Swim Painting by Laura Ross-Paul. Man walking in waves.

Moonlit Swim, 2022, sumi/walnut and iridescent ink, wax + resin seal, oil on canvas, 36 x 38 in.

Colorful Boatride Painting by Laura Ross-Paul. Woman in boat with monkey.

Colorful Boatride, 2022, sumi/walnut and iridescent ink, wax + resin seal, oil on canvas, 28 x 22 in.

Treasure Seeker, Inks, Watercolor, Wax, and Resin, Oil on Board, 24 x 20 in., 2022

Treasure Seeker, 2022, sumi/walnut and iridescent ink, wax + resin seal, oil on canvas, 24 x 20 in.