Rockaway Beach

Behind the Painting

Rockaway Beach on opening day. Everyone's hoping for summer, but it isn't quite here yet.

The wind tosses sand into your eyes.

There's no swimming on account of rip tides.

Seagulls float suspended in space.

Beachgoers struggle to keep umbrellas and pop up tents intact.

Lifeguard in a parka, I know, I know it's serious.

Still New Yorkers aren’t fazed.

Sunbathers sprawl on chairs and beach towels.

Kids dig holes and construct sandcastles.

People down beers and arepas on the boardwalk.

And if you lay close to the ground, out of the wind, you feel the warmth of the sand, the rays of the sun, and for a minute, it's summer.