The Spirit of Water III, ©John O’Grady 2015
Oil on deep edged canvas, 20″ x 20″ x 1.75″
It does not require framing and is ready to hang.
Not For Sale
This is a painting of a moisture filled day on the west coast of Ireland. Moisture from the sky, from the sea and coming off the land mingle with each other. Where does one start and the other finish? It’s hard to know but they work with each other to give a sense of energy in this wet atmosphere you’ll find frequently there. If you venture out on a day like this, you’ll smell the sea and taste it.
The far headland to the top left is just about to be enveloped by a shroud of vapour moving in off the coast. It appears solid but any time now, it will change.
As we move down through the picture, shrouded forms gradually appear as we approach the foreground filled in with energetic marks.
The balance between land and water/sky in this painting is about 50/50 directed through a diagonal movement from bottom write to top left. If you look at the previous ‘The Spirit of Water II’, it was described in a series of what appears as opposites but are they really?
Opposites or contrary forces are complementary. They are interconnected in the natural world and work with each other and off each other in a yin-yang fashion.
These complementary (rather than opposing) forces interact to create a whole that’s greater than the assembled parts. There can be no shadow without light.
It’s very hot here, about 40C at the moment and it hasn’t rained for several weeks. This painting is perhaps suggesting that I’m looking or longing for a damp day. Who knows how the mind of a painter works…
I look forward to reading your comments.
The contrasts between rough land, moving water, and thin air are clear here but the boundaries are formless and shifting. The unifying element is not only the moisture, which pervades the scene, but also the play of light on everything we see. The light — on the mist, the water, and the land — is extraordinarily alive and beautiful. What a stunning painting, John, and a fitting addition to the series.
Hello Jo,
A little bit different in perspective and scale than the previous two, but as you have mentioned the ‘formless and shifting’ is still a constant. One think that you mentioned which I hadn’t picked up on myself, was the light that pervades the painting. Thank you very much for your comment
Beautifully Captured John! I have done some diving in Ireland and the waters are stunning! (Although a little less tempestuous than this when I went in.) More seascapes please! 🙂
Hello Gabriel,
Thank you very much, it is an amazing land/sea scape in that part of the world, with exceptionally clean water as the oysters testify to. There are some great Armada wrecks as well on that west coast, great for diving
When looking at this exciting painting I feel the thrill of shifting and exhilarating movement in nature; it is energising and somehow sweeps me up with it. That blend of cloud, mist, sea spray and foam is depicted brilliantly John and I feel that I am able to enjoy it from a place of dry safety.
Hello Christine,
Yes it does look a little bit damp out there doesn’t it. That’s great that it conveyed that energy and movement to you.Thank you very much, and from the dryness of your own home.