The Two Beaches, Paramé, Saint-Malo 1908

Clarence Gagnon gave us this beach at Paramé, Saint-Malo, painted with gentle brushstrokes and a soft, dreamy palette. Imagine Gagnon, easel set up, capturing the light as it dances on the water and reflects off the sand. I can almost feel the cool breeze coming off the ocean. I wonder if Gagnon felt it too, and if he struggled to keep his canvas steady in the wind. The way he layered the paint, especially in the sky, reminds me of Turner—all those atmospheric effects created with subtle shifts in tone and color. Look at how the dark blues of the sea contrast with the pale yellows and whites of the beach. It’s a simple contrast, but it creates such a sense of depth and space. I love how he captures the everyday life of the beachgoers—the families strolling along the shore, the children playing in the sand. It makes me think about the Impressionists and their fascination with modern life. Painters are always learning from each other; each brushstroke is an echo of those that came before, a continuation of a conversation that stretches back centuries.