The Silver Sea ©John O’Grady
20″ x 47.5″ x 1.75″ oil on deep edged canvas, ready to hang
(Click on the image to enlarge it.)
SOLD
In the ‘Decay of Lying’ Oscar Wilde stated that “Life imitates Art far more than Art imitates Life”.
I hate to disagree with the great man but with this particular painting of the West of Ireland, the veil of tears I went through brought to mind the veils of rain that fall across the land from the Atlantic.
On these days, mist and cloud become one. The constant soft rain seeps into your skin.
And then, around 5 pm, a chink of light breaks through the cloud cover and, little by little, light and moisture mix and the landscape is transformed.
You can feel this quality in this painting.
As you have probably noticed, I often work on a square format.
The panoramic format of this piece brought its own set of troubles. I forget how many times I picked this piece up and put it down again.
Then, at some point a chink of light appeared in the shape of one of the clouds. Things took form and it all seemed to fit into place like a puzzle.
On evenings like these, the sea turns a glass-like silver blue. When I had painted this part, I was happy with the quality of reflective light and decided to name that painting ‘The Silver Sea’.
I’d love to hear what you think of this new landscape format and of course the painting.
Simply… AWESOME!!! Absolutely wonderful!! A stunningly beautiful piece!!
Thank you very much Terry, glad you like it.
Aloha, greetings,
Wonderful colors, variations of intensity and color relationships.
I find it very easy to enjoy the depth and spaciousness of the sky grounded by the complimentary landscape.
I’ve enjoyed your sharing of your works for some time; mahalo, thank you, for sharing your paintings.
Aloha and mahalo
Thank you Michael,
for your thoughtful comment on the painting. It was partly those variations in space and depth I wanted to capture. I hope your own work is going well,mahalo
Good morning, John
This is the type of painting that I can’t help but looking as well “upside down” and I wonder which side amazes me most ! This is a scenery I would wish to sight every single morning when opening my curtains, every single time when I feel down and need some “boost” to live on.
I am sure blue colours, sky and sea immenseness are largely part of this merging recovering confidence feeling then. Your eyes and skills acheving the whole.
What a stirring painting to me, John ! Bravo et merci du partage !
‘Good morning Dominique
Thank you as always for your comment it is an inspiring reading of the painting and makes me smile to know that the piece had that impact on you 🙂’
Hello John – what a thing of great beauty you have created here. It makes me feel that anything is possible when I look out onto that silver sea. It is expertly painted and the trouble you took was all worthwhile. The blend of colours and the subtlety of light are a great success and I especially like the way you have given the layers of cloud formation depth and distance. Many congratulations.
Hello Chris,
Thank you very much for your thoughts on the painting, yes that quality of light is what I was struggling to get to, perhaps it might lead to something in the future.
wonderful, well worth the perseverance
Thanks very much Eoin
my eyes and awareness are taken high into the clouds where I feel uplifted by the colours and intention of your work, thank you John
Hello Julie,
Thank you very much for your poetic insights into the painting. I like the feeling of being taken high into the clouds:)
for sure John….Spirit of Water III – it feels like the elementals from the ocean have formed into water angels in the clouds, high energy work I feel
Thank you very much Julie
Lovely, wonderful, overwhelming….a silver sea! You have made it again! It:s a pleasure to look at for a long, long time. I wish I could buy it! Thanks for showing, dear John!
🙂 Frauke
Hello Frauke,
Lovely to hear from you and your insights on the painting.:)
At first I see the wonderful colours and then angels above the clouds in the light. Beautiful thank you John.
Hello Melodie,
Welcome to the blog and thank you for your comment. You are very welcome.:)