Sally Wakelin

La Jolla sunset.

A perfect evening, the beach was quiet, just the sounds of the birds flying in for the evening low tide, looking for their catch.
The ocean was rolling gently now where earlier the breakers were high and white. As the sun began to set the waves turned an inky purple and the quieter water reflected a silvery lilac in the last rays. The birds were dark silhouettes against the orange sky and their loud squawking was softened by the breaking of the waves on the shore.
The painting needs some more work, more dark details in the water and if I dare risk it, a light pink wash over everything, (should have been done first of course).

Sunset in California – Pauma Valley from Highway 76

Landscape, Photography, Travel

Driving back from a day out in Julian, we were rushing, trying to get the best view of the sunset over the hills. We were maybe just a few minutes late but it was stunning nonetheless.

Watercolour Portrait

Painting, Portraiture

Getting a true likeness is the most difficult aspect of portraiture for me, though I can now make a portrait look human.
I like the top half of this portrait but I’m still struggling with the nose and mouth.

10 of the Best Staircases

Photography

I love stairs, here are some photos of one of my favourite staircases, from AGO Toronto. https://sallywakelin.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/more-on-stairs/

Decorate my Sett

The statement piece of any well thought out home is the staircase. Some have banisters ideal for sliding down, others are ultra modern with floating glass that appear to defy gravity! Here are a few that have caught my eye:

1) Beautifully smooth, spiralling like a helix. This staircase would complement both traditional and modern homes. Source.

2) I admire the form of these stairs. I like how the ‘banister’ and steps are separate pieces, and the transition as you climb from dark to light. Source.

3) These stairs feel more like an installation than a practical solution, but thats what they were built for! These 3,500 narrow steps were created in the 10th century in Chand Baori, India for a water well. The idea being no matter what the level of water people could access it. Looks exhausting!! Source.