China Beach

CAROLYNN HAYDU China Beach, 2024Painted Paper on Wood Panel20 x 16 x 1.5 in ABOUT THE WORK "On the rarest of San Francisco days, the temperature climbs above 80 degrees and one can almost feel the presence of the famous Santa Ana winds. Today, May 10th 2024 is one of those rare days. I'll drop whatever I'm doing, if humanly possible, and head to China Beach. This small alcove in the shadow of the Golden Gate Bridge is a whole natural and social ecosystem unto itself. The water is always cold but on a day like today, the chill of the water turns to ecstatic tingles when the warmth of the sun hits my skin. I love to watch the China Beach regulars, that is, those who swim there everyday. They hit the water with confidence as though impervious to the cold. After their swim, they gather on the dilapidated concrete deck above the sand. There, they socialize and warm themselves in the sun. I aspire to join them one day. From the rocks that separate China Beach from Baker Beach, I watch the wa