well the real story of this painting is simple:
I LOVE MY COMMUNITY HERE IN PROVINCETOWN more than i ever thought possible. 
i find that im actually nourished by my relationships here, every day, and ive changed bc of this. 
i now know deeply, just how important and essential community is for me. in every single thing. 
and i witness daily, how good it is for us all, this connection of kindred souls, where we live, in every way. 
I STARTED THIS PIECE IMMEDIATELY IN JULY, after really struggling within another painting. i was in this amazing workshop, and i hadnt found my sea legs yet and i realized i felt quite nervous. so it was wildly liberating to step away from that one- and to close my eyes and breathe and quietly chat/ask myself: well ok stop trying to be a genius here bethy 😑, howbout instead WHAT ARE YOU MOST HAPPY ABOUT, at this exact moment, in life???!! and PAINT THAT.
AND THE ANSWER came fast and involved no stress no pressure and absolute clarity: i loved walking out my front door in with henry francis the dog, and walking us briefly through town, to the water. 
AND I HAD THIS WARM REALIZATION as i considered it.. that now, when i did this, i was no longer anonymous (😁) but rather, i was always waving hello, or smiling back, and exchanging some easy kindnesses with friends (those i knew, and those i dont) and how nice! how lucky! how special! how organic! this all felt, HERE. and how grateful i felt, for how much it helped me, helped my heart. 
SO I CELEBRATED the crisp weathered edges of my favorite buildings. and i championed the sea stroked palette of teals and grays and sand, where each hue belonged among the same complicated and beautiful family as the water. the water, who was always there and seemed equally so glad to say hey to me too. 
ok yall 😊 thanks for looking and for reading! 
24 x 18 
acrylic, oil, bliss 
birch panel
blonde gallery frame