Just as the last traces of daylight slipped away, the moon pushed through a cozy layer of clouds and took its place over the Gulf, glowing like it had been waiting all day for its moment. The waves shimmered in silver, the beach went quiet, and even the seabirds seemed to call it quits early—probably off comparing notes about who looked best in the sunset. I walked along the shoreline, listening to the tide whispering its sleepy goodnights, and knew I had stumbled into one of those perfect moments you can’t ignore. So I captured it the only way I could: I painted it, moonlight attitude and all.