Tug Pulling Crane - Myrtle Beach

Watercolor Sketch Series – “Tug Pulling Crane” (off Myrtle Beach State Park) 

Watercolor, 4” x 5”

 

While I’m still on the mend from Lyme Disease, I’ve found enjoyable revisiting one of my favorite TV shows from the 1970s — Barney Miller. (I received the complete DVD collection this past Christmas — it’s terrific.) I enjoy the opening credits of the show, so I never fast forward: a long shot of New York City across the water, with a tugboat pulling a large barge across the frame. There’s something captivating about that image — the quiet strength of a working tug, the sense of purpose as it moves its load toward some distant destination.

 

That same thought came to me a few years ago while sketching seascapes in watercolor off Myrtle Beach State Park. On the horizon, I spotted a tug pulling a large crane — the inspiration for my piece “Tug Pulling Crane” (watercolor, 4” x 5”). The sight reminded me of the old 20 Mule Team Borax image, or even a slow-moving camel caravan — steady, deliberate, and peaceful.
It remains one of my favorite works from that seascape watercolor sketch series.

If you’d like to know more, or are interested in the individual sketches, feel free to DM me.

Favorable WInds - Watercolor Sketch Series

Watercolor Sketch Series – “Favorable Winds” (off Myrtle Beach State Park)
Watercolor, 4” x 5”

Part of my Haiku/Haiga Mini Seascape series — each piece is a study in distillation and restraint. By simplifying form and eliminating unnecessary detail, I aim to create space for the viewer to engage — to “complete the scene in the mind’s eye.”

This idea emerged while reading haiku poetry. I began sketching imagery inspired by the words, then adapted the haiku structure to my seascape studies: three lines translated into three visual zones — beach, water, and sky. The process gave me a kind of freedom, allowing me to focus more deeply on brushwork, subtle shifts in shape, and the quiet dialogue of color.

Private Collection 

 

Favorable Winds - Myrtle Beach (Haiku Watercolor)

Priming for a beach visit next month, re-posted another favorite of mine, “Favorable Winds - Myrtle Beach" watercolor, 4” x 5". From my Haiku/Haiga, mini seascape painting series. As mentioned before, a distillation of form and shape, eliminating unnecessary detail. Less is more. Enabling the viewer to contemplate, and add accordingly - "and complete them in the mind's eye."
This idea was triggered by reading haiku poetry and then sketching images of the words. Then I thought, I’ll apply part of the haiku poem formula to my beach sketches, starting with three lines, and then editing visually.
Now back to finishing this other commission before I can go!

Windjammer - Haiku Watercolor Painting

Conversing with a fellow artist recently caused me to revisit one of my favorite little watercolor paintings, “Windjammer" 4” x 5”, shown here from my Haiku/Haiga, mini, seascape painting series. (Inspired from my Myrtle Beach Watercolor sketches and haiku poetry reading.)

In short, a distillation/elimination of unnecessary detail. Less is more. Enabling the viewer to contemplate, and add accordingly - "and complete them in the mind's eye."

I’ll be heading back there later this summer to rest and sketch, once I finish two other commissions. (Check more out on my Instagram @timothywyoung)

Bison

Homage to Potthast - Myrtle Beach

Beach time again! “Homage to Potthast” (Myrtle Beach) watercolor, 4x5". One of my Haiku/Haiga, mini, minimalist paintings from the waterscape series. (Inspired from my Myrtle Beach waterscape sketches, and Haiku poetry.)
A distillation of form and shape. Elimination of unnecessary detail. Less is more. Enabling the viewer to contemplate, and add accordingly - "and complete them in the mind's eye."
Available, dm for price.