“lines of foam” is 11×14, painted with sumi ink and Japanese watercolors on paper. It is available as a signed print or a greeting card reading, “wishing you a sparkling birthday”. © Annette Makino 2015. The haiku "lines of foam" was first published in Frogpond 35:3 (Winter 2012).
My husband Paul once had a colleague from Nebraska whose father had never seen the ocean. When the dad came out to Arcata to visit, they went to the beach. The taciturn Midwesterner stood staring at the Pacific for awhile. Finally he said, “It’s bigger than I expected.”
Although I grew up along the California coast and walk on the beach several times a week, I, too, am amazed by the Pacific.
curling waves
the ocean too wide
for my viewfinder
It is not only unfathomably vast, but always changing with the time of day, weather, tide, and season. One day it can be a wash of gray from sea to sky, with barely a discernible horizon. Another day it can be so sparkling clear that even the wet sand shines blue.
In this time of dismaying headlines and extreme political dysfunction, I find the ocean especially restorative. My lungs fill with negative ions and the sea breeze blows away my cares. Spending time here helps me to put our ridiculous human problems in perspective and to regain a sense of geological time.
all the stars
in the sea
summer tide pool
My dog Misha delights in running on the beach.
The beach is also where I find ideas and inspiration for my art and haiku, sometimes sitting on a driftwood log listening to the waves. The ocean where life began is an endless source of creativity. If you are fortunate enough to live near the beach, I hope you will grab a hat and get out there. Happy summer!
lines of foam
over and over the sea
writes its story
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Makino Studios News
August Vacation: I will be on a painting vacation on the Klamath River the week of Aug. 4-11. Any orders that come in that week will ship on Monday, Aug. 13.
North Country Fair: Mark your calendar for the North Country Fair in Arcata, CA the weekend of Sept. 15-16! This festive event features 170 booths, live entertainment on three stages, and two parades. I’ll have my newest cards and 2019 calendars at the Makino Studios booth on G Street near 9th.
Raffle Winner: Congratulations to Pat Bitton, who won $50 in Makino Studios store credit at the North Coast Open Studios raffle last month! For a chance to win, look for the raffle jar at my booth at the North Country Fair.
Cards: Check out the Cards section of the Makino Studios site to find greeting cards for weddings, birthdays and more. And I’m working on several juicy new card designs this fall!