"You have to see it to appreciate it, as the saying goes. That's just what I did when I set to work on Seaside Village. I hauled a massive easel, oversized canvas, brushes, and oils outdoors, to the charming northern California seaside village of Pacific Grove, where I worked on my largest ever plein air painting.

The sun glistened on the waves as I painted, gulls were flying overhead. I came to feel that I was in wonderful harmony with the sea and sun and sand. I did all I could on location, then took the canvas back to my studio to add imaginative touches. Seaside Village became a studio impression -- set alive by joyous, vigorous brushwork.

I can still taste the salt air and hear the seagulls' cries. That's why I'll be visiting more seaside villages as we savor the simple pleasures of the natural way of life."

--- Thomas Kinkade