This Spot is Gone But You’re Still Here

I’d heard about a homegrown skatebowl on some farmer’s field overlooking this coast for years. I even went looking for it once, but in all the wrong places. I’d gotten a tip from a knowledgeable source this time, though, so I’d be making a visit on this trip and hopefully coming away with a painting of a truly unique spot on the California Coast.

There were no cars around when I arrived. Nice and quiet, but an ominous vibe hung in the air. I see a pile of rubble on a berm above me, brightly colored spray paint on each block in the pile. This must be the spot. As I near the top and get my first look around, I’m confronted with an unexpected scene.

“THIS SPOT IS GONE BUT YOU ’RE STILL HERE” is spraypainted on the last remaining portion of curved concrete bowl. The rest is jackhammered into pieces and strewn
about this bluff.

Well, it was true, the spot was gone but I was still there and may as well do what I came to do, so I painted this.

The word I heard when I got back to town is that they must have just bulldozed it within the last week or so. Many folks hadn’t even heard it was gone yet.

RIP cool skate spot. At least your epic view still remains.

-Entry on October 1, 2016


Artwork Information:


Artwork Title: "This Spot is Gone But You’re Still Here"
Original Size: 20" x 16"
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Year Painted: 2016

Additional Artwork Information:


Method: Plein Air
Date Painted: 10/01/2016
Region: The California Coast > Central California > Santa Cruz
Road Trip: Santa Cruz 2016

Artwork Logistics:


Access Logitics: Private Property
(Painted Without Permission)
Botanical Hazards: Some Poison Oak Observed
Biological Hazards: Food/Drink Delivered and Consumed While Painting
Weather Logistics: Fog Battle


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