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Clouds and sunshine

A typical island day in Bali: beautiful big blue skies, plenty of golden sunshine and an unusual cloud formation that makes this such an interesting seascape to paint.

I’m sitting looking out over Sanur Beach in Bali, enjoying one of those wonderfully peaceful island days. The sky is a gorgeous deep blue and the sunshine is warm and golden, but it is the clouds that have really caught my attention today.

There is something about the way the clouds are forming across the sky that makes the whole seascape so interesting. As an artist, I’m always looking at the shapes, colours and light around me, and this is exactly the sort of scene that makes me want to pick up my paintbrush.

Out on the water, a traditional jukung boat is gently bobbing in the ocean. These little Balinese fishing boats are such a familiar sight around Sanur and somehow they always add a little bit of Bali magic to the view.

And the best thing about today? There isn't a soul on the beach.

It is incredibly peaceful.

This is one of the things I love about living in Sanur, Bali. There are days when you can sit on the beach looking out across the ocean and feel as though you have the whole island to yourself. No crowds, no noise – just the sound of the sea, the sunshine, the boats and those amazing Bali skies.

It is easy to see why Bali is known as the Island of the Gods. There is something wonderfully calming about sitting here and watching the changing light across the sea.

For me, these are the moments that make Bali such an inspiring place to paint. It isn't always the obvious tropical colours that catch my eye. Sometimes it is simply the shape of a cloud, the colour of the sky or a tiny jukung boat floating on the horizon that makes an ordinary day into a beautiful painting.