A Sultry Afternoon by Susan Martin Spar

A Sultry Afternoon, 2024, Oil on Canvas, Plein Air near the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

Susan Martin Spar

A Sultry Afternoon

Oil On Canvas

8 x 10 x 0.5 in

Painted en plein air along the Strait of Juan de Fuca, A Sultry Afternoon captures the warm stillness of a late‑summer day on the coast. A narrow creek winds through tall grasses, reflecting the soft blue of the sky above. Sun‑warmed yellows, greens, and touches of orange shape the vegetation, suggesting the seasonal shift toward early autumn.

The expressive brushwork and natural palette convey the quiet heat of the afternoon, the gentle movement of the grasses, and the peaceful rhythm of the landscape. This piece celebrates the beauty of the Pacific Northwest’s coastal meadows and the immersive experience of painting directly from life.