Mexico Beach Sunset. Painting #39. A Special Painting with a Deeper Meaning.

This painting holds a special place in my heart. It was inspired by a photo taken on my wife’s birthday in October 2017, during our first visit to Mexico Beach, Florida. This charming seaside town on the Gulf of Mexico was where we discovered Toucan’s on the Beach, a restaurant literally on the beach. We chose to sit outside to enjoy a breathtaking sunset, which I felt compelled to capture on canvas.

What makes this painting even more meaningful is the fact that Toucan’s on the Beach no longer exists. It didn’t close down or go out of business; it was completely destroyed by Hurricane Michael, along with much of Mexico Beach. When I say the town was destroyed, I mean it in the most literal sense.

Inspiration

The inspiration for Mexico Beach Sunset was quite literally, the sunset over the Gulf of Mexico in the small seaside town of Mexico Beach. This painting, originally special because it was inspired by a memorable birthday photo, now carries even more significance as a tribute to a place that no longer exists.

Creative Process

As for the painting itself, I applied a technique for creating a basic seascape without waves, which I had learned in my previous painting, Beach Sunrise. It turned out wonderfully, even though I used a small canvas just to see how it would look. Given its success and the fact that it was sold, I plan to recreate it on a larger canvas.

I hope you enjoy this piece. I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please leave a comment below. And if you like it, don’t forget to share on your favorite social media sites.

If you would like to see more of my work, check out my gallery. You can read about other paintings I’ve done in my blog. If you would like a piece of artwork for your own collection, visit my store.

Happy painting!