Catalina View, 2026 by Ray Patrick — original gouache painting — 2026.097.026

Subject

The island seen across the channel on a clouded afternoon, with rooftops and a water tank along the near ridge and the town spread below.

Composition

Three quarters sky. The town runs as a narrow band at the base, and the island lies flat behind it; the cloud above is massed in horizontal ranks that shorten toward the horizon.

Palette

Cobalt, periwinkle and slate throughout the sky, with cream and a faint ochre where the sun catches a cloud edge. The town is violet and taupe with small white and orange roofs.

Handling

The whole sky is built from flat dabs laid side by side, each one a distinct touch, so the cloud has no drawn edge anywhere. The buildings are single small strokes with no outline.

Medium and support

Gouache on paper. Matte and opaque. Unpainted margins all round.

Signature

Lower left, raypatrick, in red-brown over the foreground, letters touching.

From the artist:

On a really clear day you can see Catalina Island. I remember when I first saw it and being dumbstruck. 'Has that island always been there,' I wondered. I made a mental note to return on the next clear day. Several months later, I was ready.