La marée haute a Saint-Malô (High tide at St Malô) 1912

Ethel Carrick painted this scene of “La marée haute a Saint-Malô,” probably in the early 20th century, with visible brushstrokes creating texture and movement. I can almost feel the sun and sea breeze on my skin! Look how she’s layered the paint, building up the forms of the figures, the beach tents and the fortress with short, thick strokes. I wonder what it was like for her, standing there, trying to capture the essence of that busy, lively scene? Did she feel the pressure to get every detail right, or did she allow herself to be guided by intuition and feeling? The way she used color is interesting, too. The muted tones of the sea and sky contrast with the brighter hues of the beachgoers’ clothing. Notice that vivid, bold green patch – almost like a stage set! It reminds me of Vuillard’s intimate, domestic scenes, but with a vibrant, outdoor energy. Ethel was part of an exciting era, in conversation with all the other painters of her time, soaking up their ideas and pushing her own boundaries. It makes you wonder what’s next for painting?