Omaraid GuerreroCOTA 300There is a multitude of museums that a person might choose to visit in Southern California, each displaying unique artifacts from different eras and cultures. I chose to visit the Bowers Museum which displays numerous exhibitions ranging from pre-Columbian art to more contemporary and modern art. California: The Golden Years is one of those exhibitions. The exhibition contains the painting titled Marinescape by Edgar Payne. The Marinescape painting shows the beauty of the California coast through the use of impressionistic techniques. These techniques depict the powerful force of the ocean through light and soft colors, which provide a breathtaking image of the Laguna Beach coastline. The painting was created in 1918. During this time, there were relatively few residents living in the Laguna Beach area. But because of the breathtaking scenery, many artists settled in the area in an attempt to capture the stunning beauty of the coast. Most of the painters who resided along the coast were part of the American Impressionist movement. American Impressionism was often characterized by the use of loose brushstrokes and bright colors. An American impressionist was Edgar Payne, who settled on the coast of Laguna Beach and tried to capture the essence of the majestic coastline. According to the Bowers Museum, Payne's work embodies the culmination of the California Impressionist movement and the plein-air style. These styles used light and space to capture the moment, not just the subject. The style used in Marinescape was developed during the Impressionist movement. This technique used short, bold brushstrokes that had no shape or detail. Furthermore, he focused on capturing the light and displaying the effects of...... half of the card... this is due to the chosen color which is made up of light blue, green and brown. These colors give the waves a soft appearance even when they show violent movements. Overall Edgar Payne's Marinescape leaves one with a greater appreciation for the coast. Using watercolors to capture sunlight and create shades of sunlight and darkness captures a beautiful morning. This is followed by the different brushstrokes which, although lacking in detail, still allow the viewer to see the power of the waves. For a person who has never seen the coast, this painting can give the viewer an almost realistic depiction and experience of what the Laguna Beach coast can look and feel like. While impressionist painting leaves out some details, the atmosphere created by Payne's techniques makes up for this by capturing the true essence of the Laguna Beach landscape.