Charles Walter Simpson’s Splash and Spray, Mabel’s Rocks is a vigorous coastal scene dominated by the force of waves breaking against a dark, rocky shoreline. A towering mass of white spray rises dramatically at the centre of the composition, its curling forms rendered with thick, sweeping strokes of cream, pale blue and soft pink. Below, churning turquoise and blue water surges toward the rocks, while smaller waves break across the foreground.

The rugged rocks at right are painted in deep browns, purples and blue-black tones, providing a strong contrast with the brilliant foam and spray. Simpson uses energetic, heavily worked brushwork to capture the movement and weight of the sea rather than describing every detail precisely. Against the relatively calm horizontal line of the distant ocean and pale sky, the exploding surf becomes especially dramatic. The result is an immediate and powerful depiction of the Atlantic coast, emphasizing the changing colour, light and physical energy of water striking the shore.