Where the Sea Meets the Sky, ©John O’Grady 2015
Oil on deep edged wooden box frame 8″ x 8″ x 1.50″
It does not require framing and is ready to hang.
SOLD
“No painting stops with itself, is complete of itself. It is a continuation of previous paintings and is renewed in successive ones…” (Clyfford Still)
I was reminded of Still’s quote when I had finished this latest painting. It reminded me of its larger sibling created a number of years ago and the thread that runs through a lot of the work I make, the changing atmospheric conditions and how light is altered and filtered by them and diffused forms fade and reappear.
Below is the older painting.
Apparition II en Gris, John O’Grady
Acrylic on deep edged canvas, 32.5″x 32.5″ x 1.75″
It does not require framing and is ready to hang.
$2292 (Free worldwide shipping)
The piece above is a much quieter painting with a more minimalist approach where the 2D surface is flattened but folds in on itself on the barely visible horizon line. It retains those concerns of light and atmosphere which clearly links it to the more energetic seascape that also has an abstract quality.
What is interesting is finding the tipping point where the painting is still descriptive of time, place and atmosphere but also an arrangement of painterly marks that stand by themselves.
The two pieces have a narrow range of greys that lend itself to reflection despite the energy and movement of the sea.
I set out when making the smaller piece to create the most beautiful grey I could (some task!) by mixing a number of greys barely tilted towards warm and cool.
I would love to hear what you think of the two pieces.
Here is another view below of Apparition II en Gris.
You have expressed so elegantly everything I would aspire to say. “Apparition II en Gris” is one of the most mystical of your pieces I have seen. It does approach abstraction but it is far from being a mental or painterly exercise — it is full of feeling and suffused with filtered light; the eye yearns to experience what is out there. It pulls one in — reminding me somewhat of the paintings in the Rothko Chapel, though his vision is darker. Not to overdramatize, but it feels like the portal to another plane of consciousness. “Where the Sea Meets the Sky” is more rooted in realism and its emotional impact is more muscular (in response to the color, movement and brush work), but it is no less an expression of physical forms melting into atmosphere and an exploration of that “tipping point” you describe.
Thank you so much for posting both paintings for comparison and for your beautiful insights on them.
Hello Josephine,
Thank you so much for your thoughtful remarks. I was in two minds whether to show the larger piece, so I am really glad I did and that it connected with you so deeply.
I really like the Apparition piece John. I love the pink in the sky of the other one also, so I’m not sure what to say. There’s at least two directions one could go – forward to pure abstraction, or do more with the apparition theme (maybe varying the colours each new piece) or keep the various directions going in parallel. Best wishes on the journey. Fail, fail again, fail better. 🙂
Thanks a lot Eoin, for your comment. I like the Beckett quote, how very true I know all about that. I hope your own work is going well.
on mature reflection John, I reckon you should continue with the task of finding the most beautiful grey – that piece is particularly allurring
Hello Eoin,
Thanks for coming back to comment again and the encouraging words on the painting and the ‘most beautiful grey’. I thought it was an interesting comparison of the two. Take care John
Hello John, once again I am encouraged to think about some of the issues you and some other artists face. Like Eoin, I was immediately drawn to the warm subtlety of the pinks/yellows in ‘Where the sea meets the Sky’ . I was also affected by your desire to find ‘the most beautiful grey’ – it is very soft and beautiful. They both have a great sense of atmosphere achieved through light and colour and seem to me to be different but belong to the same family.
Hello Christine,
Yes the finding of the most beautiful grey was raising the bar a bit but one has to try, glad you like it.Thank you ever so much for your insightful comments.
I adore both of these paintings,a new approach and different colours from your other work I have seen.I would love to have both of these on my walls!
Hello Jane,
Thank you very much for your comment
I love your paintings. You have inspired me.
Thank you Aideen, glad to hear that you are enjoying them