This is a commissioned piece which began as a 'plein air' (open air) oil sketch in "Barron's South, Whananaki". As I was driving out to Whananaki in the early morning to do this painting the sky was clouded over grey and wet, but as I pulled the car to a stop at the edge of the beach a break in the clouds appeared, the sun peeped up over the horizon and the whole scene pulsed with the golden sunlight. It was so instantly perfect and transformed it left me open mouthed and gaping. After that the clouds seemed to disperse, allowing me a few brief hours to try and express my wonder on the canvas before the rain chased me back to the studio.