The San Diego Watercolor Society was out at Shoreline Park for our monthly paintout. Shoreline Park overlooks the Americas Cup Harbor, and a marina bursting with boats. It is framed by the hills of Point Loma and is a favored spot of artists, especially on a mild end-of-summer day.

I began with a sketch of the boats in the harbor, but noticed that my attention was drawn to two artists out on the pier. Both were painting with so much pleasure, focus, and enthusiasm that I felt compelled to capture it on paper. I turned my paper over and with a few strokes I soon had the figures, easel and pier.

At some point, I had to decide whether or not to include the boats, homes, foliage, streets, and hills in the background. I went with simple, opting for big shapes in blue, thinking this choice might better convey a sense of tranquility and creativity.