Waccamaw Gold II

Waccamaw Gold II is an original pastel painting by South Carolina artist Joanne Willoughby, capturing the rich color, still water, and atmospheric beauty of the Waccamaw landscape. A solitary tree rises from the water’s edge, its dark trunk and sweeping branches silhouetted against a sky glowing in warm gold, amber, blush, and soft violet.

Willoughby’s expressive handling of pastel gives the scene remarkable depth and movement. Layers of deep burgundy, olive green, ochre, violet, and near-black build the tree and surrounding vegetation, while flashes of pale yellow and gold seem to filter through the branches. Below, the quieter bands of water and distant shoreline open the composition and allow the warmth of the sky to glow around the darker foreground.

Rather than treating the landscape as a literal study, Willoughby captures its mood—the heavy canopy of an old tree, the stillness of the water, and that brief wash of golden light that can completely transform a familiar Lowcountry view. The contrast between the shadowed tree and luminous horizon gives Waccamaw Gold II a dramatic, almost jewel-like quality, while the loose marks and visible strokes keep the painting wonderfully alive.

This one-of-a-kind original pastel is professionally framed in a warm, softly antiqued metallic frame that complements the painting’s gold and earthy tones. Its vertical format and strong composition make it a striking piece on its own and an especially beautiful choice for a collected wall of original Southern art.

Waccamaw Gold II is signed by Joanne Willoughby and available at Gray Man Gallery in Pawleys Island, South Carolina.

15"W x 18"H