The Sea is Emotion Incarnate, Reject All Shackles

The Sea is Emotion Incarnate

"The Sea is Emotion Incarnate", oil on linen panel, 10" x 10"

"Reject All Shackles", oil on aluminum panel,  12" x 10"

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“The sea is emotion incarnate. It loves, hates, and weeps. It defies all attempts to capture it with words and rejects all shackles. No matter what you say about it, there is always that which you can't.”
― Christopher Paolini, Eragon​

Malcolm and I spent a lot of time by the sea.

Walking, wandering, climbing up and down (boulders, cliffs, dunes, rock piles), wondering and pondering.  Paolini is not wrong - the sea IS emotion incarnate.  Its moods, its faces, its tides and tumbles.

Sometimes the ocean gently laps against our feet in the warm sand.  Other times it pushes us away with its fierceness.  Once it grabbed me off a rock pile - a sneaker wave which gave me a taste of terror and then relief (I was soaked and muddied, scared and surprised but not swept away. Never ever turn your back on the sea.)

Reject All Shackles

Mostly,  like the wild creature it is,  it defies capturing.

I've painted it over and over again.  In detail, in texture, in color and without.  It is elusive, rejecting all attempts to define it.  Here in these small pieces, I strove for minimalism - the sea in simple line and color, the sunset over the sea in all its cotton candy glory.   I can hear the sea laughing, knowing it remains unshackled by these pieces.  Knowing I will try again.

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​Congratulations Michaela!  Wonder Mike chose your name at random as winner of the June Reader Giveaway!  Send your mailing address to ​[email protected] and your original piece of artwork will be on its way to you.  Thanks to everyone who participated!