Beach and ocean watercolors always evoke a feeling of calm. There’s just something about the sound of the waves crashing on the shore that is music to my ears and is my happy place.

Growing up in South Florida, our family activities centered around the beach and ocean. I have many happy memories of deep-sea fishing, snorkeling in the Florida Keys or Bahamas, or just beachcombing for shells. I also lived in Guam during my high school and early college years, so we were surrounded by water!

Sunscreen was not a thing growing up, and I, unfortunately, suffered quite a few bad sunburns. Not ideal for a fair-skinned, red-headed girl. These burns might have been one of the reasons I developed metastatic melanoma. I rarely leave home now if I am going to spend any time in the sun without a hat, a long-sleeved shirt, and sunscreen!