MANATEE RISING
oil
10"x8"

View across the canal from the Nav-a-gator near Punta Gorda, FL. A manatee was sleeping in the water below the spot where I painted. It rose for air about once or twice an hour, sometimes top up and sometimes belly up. The water is brown with tannin from the mangrove roots, that's why the manatee appeared to be brownish instead of gray.

This is a pochade (sketch) done in three hours. Scene was too complicated to complete on the spot. Finished it in the studio. I've included both versions here. Originally, I left out the third house in the background, put it in later and happy with the result. Think it gives scene more depth.