"Crossing Paths"

The peach glow of evening light dances on waves and sea foam as footprints cross on the edge of the ebbing tide in my oil painting, “Crossing Paths.”

I started this painting drawn by the way the colors of twilight coming from the setting sun to the west were lighting clouds above, a departing storm in the distance, myriad highlights across the ocean, and glowing on cresting waves and sea foam. It’s a magical time to be walking on the beach.

As I painted the top glazes of the wet sand, with its countless tossed shells, pebbles, ocean “diamonds” and bits and pieces of sea life being tossed and scattered by the inflow and outflow of waves, the painting seemed to beckon first one set of footprints and then two, converging along the surf’s edge.

Perhaps it was symbolic of things going on in my life or the way I was looking at my past. Sometimes paths cross early in life and those people become a lifelong part of our lives. Many cross our paths cross but once, quickly, but even then perhaps altering our direction. Some are with us for years then move on. Still others come along later in life and bring new and unexpected meaning and joy to our lives.

These thoughts and more of paths that have crossed in my life and the gratitude I feel for the experiences, went through my mind as I followed the footprints into the sandy distance of this peaceful painting.

I dedicate this painting to all fellow travelers in this journey called life. I’m glad our paths crossed, even if only briefly. There's purpose to every facet of life, even footprints crossing in the sand in a painting on a computer screen.