The Story of Sunny | A White Pekin Duck Painting

$325.00 set in a driftwood tone frame

I’ve always been a sucker for sunshine. Growing up in California, “winter” meant maybe splurging on a cozy sweater from the Men’s Department at Macy’s to throw over my stirrup leggings—because, you know, fashion. Folsom Lake outings started as early as March, and we thought anything below 65°F was borderline apocalyptic.

Then came Seattle, where the sunshine-to-cloud ratio was… not exactly in my favor. But it was the 1990s! The grunge scene was alive, coffee culture was taking over, and the city was basically a vibe in itself. Plus, the spectacular mountain ranges and stunning scenery were solid compensation for all that gray.

Next came Boston, where I had to level up my survival skills—hello, snow shovels—and face my first real winter. It took me seven years to stop feeling like a hibernating bear every December. But eventually, I found my groove, trading stirrup leggings of my youth for clunky snow boots and puffy long jackets. To know me was to know my out-of-place Mustang convertible, preserving my California roots.

Now I’m in Maine, where the seasons are serious business, but so is soaking up every ray of sun. This summer, I hardly painted at all—if the sun was out, so was I, working the land or walking the coastline. Winter has brought its own charm with snowshoeing and cross-country skiing (and, okay, maybe a LOT of huddling by the wood stove, too).

The sunshine obsession continues, though. During a horseback riding lesson recently, I spotted a pet Pekin duck basking in the golden light. Naturally, I had to pause mid-lesson to grab my phone for a picture.

That little duck gets it—sunshine is everything.

Read More about my obsession of everything sunshine with the basics with the basic of building a solar home.

My Oil Painting Process

Painting a white Pekin duck in the sun with oil paints is tricky - ANYTHING white is a challenge - but so rewarding! White isn’t just “white” to me—it’s full of soft blues, warm yellows, and even nuances of purple, depending on how the sunlight hits those shapes. The hardest part is capturing those delicate shadows and glimmers of light without making the duck look flat or too gray. I have to be so careful not to overwork the paint and lose that fluffy, sunlit feel. And with oils taking their sweet time to dry, blending is both a blessing and a challenge. But when I finally get that warm sensation of a summer day and a little spark of life in its eye, it feels like magic!

Parks to Visit in Portland, Maine

Ducks, swans, and geese always bring a happy little wave of nostalgia, taking me straight back to sunny childhood days at playgrounds. I can practically feel the spring sunshine and the magic of Fairytale Town in William Land Park in Sacramento—complete with its fairy-tale charm and a kid-sized dose of wonder.

These days, living in Maine, I’ve discovered a different kind of magic in Portland’s parks.

• soaking up the sun along the East End Promenade,

• wandering through the Deering Oaks farmers market (trying not to buy everything),

• doing a brisk lap around Back Cove,

These spots give me the peace and refreshment my grown-up self seems to need. And let’s be honest—I’m a total sucker for picnic spreads. Give me a sunny patch of grass, a good snack, and a view, and I’m all set!

Conveniently, my favorite stops for picnic goodies are close by including Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Rosemont Bakery (try a cookie there!)