Quiet Beach

The schools here on Long Island went back last Tuesday. I went down to Islip Beach and there was no lifeguard and only a few people on the beach. The staff should be back for the Labor Day Weekend...but it seemed too soon to see it so empty. 

Beach Sketches

 I haven't been to the beach in a while to actually sit on the beach...a rare thing for me. I've been going to the pool mostly. I did go a few weeks ago with a friend to sketch. This time I headed over to Islip Beach which is on the Great South Bay. It isn't as good as being at the ocean, but it is closer and the parking is a lot easier. This lady was relaxing right in front of me. She kept moving her arms to awkward positions.

This lady was also nearby. It is fun to see where some of the body parts go in relationship to the chair parts. Sorry for the shadow on the left.

Islip Beach

A friend and I were looking for a scenic spot where we could enjoy the outdoors, have some shade, and sketch. Here on Long Island we have many small beaches that are specific to certain towns. I've sketched at Islip Beach before and it has a cute restaurant called Key West. I suggested that Suzala meet me and I would drive us down to the beach since I get free admittance as an Islip resident. It turned out to be a great idea. There is a large covered area with picnic tables where we sat and each had a view. She sketched the restaurant and I concentrated on the people sitting on the beach in front of the restaurant. It turned out to be a great location.

View from Islip Beach

 We are lucky to have so many nice water views over the Great South Bay. This was sketched from one of the town beaches in Islip that are on the mainland. This is one of the bridges that crosses the bay to Robert Moses Park which is on Fire Island.

View at the Bay

 I painted this at the Islip Beach. The view looks out toward Fire Island in the distance.

Key West Beach Cafe

I was looking for a new location to sketch the other day and drove down to one of the town beaches in Islip.  I was happy to find this "Key West" cafe setting up for the season. I think they may have music too once the season starts. They were already serving food which surprised me. I will have to go back.