Luskentyre Sands, Harris

Robert Kelsey painted this peaceful stretch of Luskentyre Sands in 2010, capturing one of the loveliest beaches on the Isle of Harris in Scotland's Outer Hebrides. The turquoise water fades from deep blue to bright, almost tropical green where it meets the pale sand, and the whole scene carries a calm, dreamy mood. Soft blue mountains sit low on the horizon, melting into a cloudy sky, while the loose and confident brushstrokes give everything a gentle, unfussy feel.

The colors here are not exaggerated, which is the surprising part. Luskentyre really does glow like this on a sunny day, though the crisp Hebridean air would remind anyone quickly that this is Scotland and not the Caribbean. Kelsey, a Scottish painter, has spent much of his career recording the west coast and its islands, and his affection for these wild, empty places shows in every quiet detail. The result is an honest, unhurried picture of standing alone on wide open sand with only the sound of the sea for company.