Five boats on the Tagus

Golden hour by the Tagus

Acrylic on canvas, 20"x24"

My boyfriend and I took a trip to Lisbon earlier this year (April 2026). We were walking along the waterfront one evening, just as the sun sets, just as the light turns golden. Everything just looks so beautiful at this time of night. Its called golden hour for a reason. 

We stood between 2 pillars in the water. Old, weathered and each had a seagull sat on top. Behind them, in the shot, were 5 sailboats heading inland from their sunset cruises. Everyone having admired the same same: The city and water at golden hour. That what I loved about the moment. It wasn't just finding a perfect image, it was watching everyone admire the same thing. All these people drawn to the waterfront to get the best view. Everyone looking for the same little piece of magic. 

I painted it to try and capture the feeling about shared moments with strangers. That fleeting second where everything is perfect, everyone in the shot is experiencing the same thing.