"Kits Point Marina" is a painting that always brings a smile to my face. I was painting outside, immersed in the peaceful atmosphere by the ocean, sharing a delightful plein air session with a good friend. While he opted for a broad, distant vista, I chose a relatively close-up scene, drawn to the charm of the boats docked right before me.

Two sailboats were moored at the pier, nestled beside a wooden marina shack. One was quite small, while the other vessel was quite large, and appeared vintage to me; its hull a striking cobalt blue, contrasted by an enclosed living space crafted from beautiful orangish wood, giving it the undeniable character of an older, well-loved sailboat.

The day took an unexpected turn, adding a magical element to the scene, when the dense Vancouver fog started to gently roll in and out. This created a wonderfully atmospheric effect within the painting itself, making the colours soft and muted, enveloping the scene in a sense of mystery and serenity. The distant trees are rendered very softly, painted impressionistically to enhance that ethereal, dreamlike quality. There were times during our painting session when my friend's entire distant subject would disappear, leaving him to patiently wait it out – and us both giggling at the absurdity of it all. Those shared laughs, and the unexpected beauty of that foggy day, are as much a part of this piece as the paint itself.