NB: This painting is part of John Dyer’s Spirit of the Harvest series and is available to view exclusively online. It is not on display at the Eden Project.

‘Caribbean Beach Life, Costa Rica’ was painted en plein air on the volcanic sands of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Immersed in the heat, humidity and colour of the tropics, John Dyer responded directly to the shifting light and atmosphere, translating the rhythm of the sea and the vibrancy of Caribbean life onto canvas. His lively brushstrokes capture the surf rolling in against the dark sand, the deep blue of the ocean, and the warmth of the day as waves sweep towards swimmers enjoying the incoming tide.

The composition is alive with storytelling detail. Figures swim, wade and stretch their arms towards the waves, while others stroll or rest along the shoreline. Bicycles lean against bright coral and pink houses tucked beneath the palms. Dogs explore the beach, crabs move across the volcanic sand, and driftwood and coconuts lie scattered along the tide line. Vultures soar over the tropical sky, adding a sense of scale and movement, while lush foliage in greens, yellows and aquas frames the scene with patterned leaves and bursts of colour.

Towering coconut palms, many striped with John Dyer’s characteristic bands of colour, arc towards the sea and echo the coastal rhythm. The purples of the distant hills, the deep greens of the vegetation and the warm, dark tones of the volcanic sand create a rich palette that evokes the biodiversity and energy of the Caribbean.

Painted with immediacy and confidence, this work conveys the joy, colour and pulse of Costa Rica’s Caribbean shores, offering collectors a vivid sense of place and life lived by the sea.