World Inspired Landscapes: Saint Kitts and Nevis

For the next three paintings in the World Inspired Landscapes its Caribbean time! Saint Kitts and Nevis is a two-island country in the east part of the island chain near two other countries I painted before: Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica. Painting the Caribbean islands is always fun, although the scenery is quite similar with blue-green water, bright yellow green foliage and white sand beaches. Whats not to like? Saint Kitts and Nevis has the distinction of being one of the most conquered and re-conquered countries over history, in fact, it started long before the colonial times when the original indigenous people the Arawak, were taken over by another Caribbean tribe probably from South America. Apparently Christopher Columbus sighted the island, it would be one of the first encountered if sailing from the direction of Europe, which started a series of take overs by Spain, France and the British Empire who at some point shared it with France for awhile. The islands were a launching ground for colonizing the other islands in the region. Today it is independent but like Canada, is part of the British commonwealth.

Slavery for sugar cane ended in the early 19th century leaving most of the islands inhabited by freed people who's descendants live there to this day. In the painting there is an old, colonial era turret that would have been part of defensive fortifications and to spot oncoming ships. Such structures are grown-over with plants, although some are maintained as popular tourist attractions. What was once meant to repel people is nowadays meant to attract people. Like the Great Wall of China. It was important to get the shades of the sea water correct, so I dug out my old tube of cerulean blue (PB35) which is a cobalt stannate (tin) pigment normally used in pottery, phthalo turquoise (PB16) which is a metal-free pigment, and phthalo green blue shade (PG7). The darker water on the horizon is indo blue (PB60). These paints made a fantastic array of aqua hues. With side-drag technique I left a few bits of paper showing to simulate the waves rolling in. 
 

World Inspired Landscapes: Saint Kitts and Nevis, watercolour 8 x 10" cold press, March 2025 (No. 4302b)