An Inspiring Interlude to Riviera Nayarit

Last fall when my brother and sister-in-law invited us to join them for a sunny week of surf and sand in Mexico this March, we jumped on board. The last time I travelled somewhere warm in the middle of a cold Canadian winter was to Morocco back in 2001. We were overdue for a winter interlude!

With only a week to enjoy our first visit to Mexico's Pacific Coast, we all stayed at a rustic resort along Costa Banderas. It was great for my in-laws family; no one had to worry about meals, and the kids couldn't get enough of "Kids Camp".

My husband Stefan and I wanted to explore the area, so we waved the bus down and took off on a couple day trips to check out Bucerias and Sayulita. I fell in love with these small towns, and the kind, warm people we met during our visits. Ahh... I could easily live there!

Stefan surfing at dawn, Mexico 2013

Every morning, Stefan and I woke before dawn, and headed down to the beach to join his brother, where we were all welcomed by the surf and sunrise. It was a beautiful way to start the day out on the ocean with the turtles, pelicans and fishermen.

Daina SUP surfing at dawn, Mexico 2013 

Daina SUPing into the sunrise

Dawn on the beach, Mexico

My niece, Jordy, making music on Sayulita Beach, Mexico

Fisherman, Grand Palladium Resort beach, Mexico

Stefan & Daina, Grand Palladium Resort beach, Mexico

Sayulita, Mexico

I knew how inspiring this trip would be for me, and that it wouldn't be enough to just pack my camera equipment. I had to paint, too! I was so glad I thought to put together a little portable kit, just in case. In a zip-lock bag I packed a set of Sennelier Oil Pastels, a 6"x8"Strathmore Mixed Media pad, a drawing pencil, a few paint brushes, and a small container of odourless oil paint solvent. 

One afternoon while everyone was doing their own thing, I snuck away to a quiet spot under a bluff. It was low tide, and the rocks offered a comfortable sandy place to lay my towel and settle in to paint the surf. I was able to sketch my scene, colour it in with the oil pastels, and blend along the way with brushes and solvent. There is something very liberating and satisfying about painting plain-air, surrounded by nature. 

Daina painting, Grand Palladium Resort beach, Mexico

I look forward to many more adventures and plein-air painting...
xo DS

**NOTE All images © copyright 2013 Daina Scarola, Ocean Art Studio**