The first expedition into my barnacle series, this painting opened my hands to creating three-dimensional texture, my mind to interpreting the natural flow of ocean currents, and my heart to connecting with others over artistry. I mention the latter because this piece was purchased directly off my ease because it connected with another person before it was done speaking to me. I grew as an artist because of this experience.

I had been playing with the background color, brushstrokes and water marks, folding and forming barnacles and scattering their placement about the canvas. I was so emersed in creating this under-water world that I failed to notice the person who would own this painting standing behind me. She approached and as her eyes circled the composition her hands kept floating up with buoyant excitemen, touching the barnacles and following them across the painting. Although she was discovering something new in every inch of the composition, she spoke with such familiarity - as if she had been experiencing this painting for years.

I hadn’t finished. There were clusters of barnacles yet to create and areas of background yet to refine. The desire to continue working and the curiosity about evolving this piece still energized me. But art is about connection. Art is more than a passion, it’s an artist’s language and this painting spoke to someone with the depth of understanding that motivates an artist to create.

I sold it, signing the bottom corner and varnishing as she waited. She hugged me like a wave, rolling in and wrapping me completely, and then she left. For me, this painting is a touch-stone memory. And I come back to it often.

Original artwork is on stretched cotton canvas. Acrylic paint, additives, metal leaf, and recycled material are protected with a varnish coating. Artist’s signature is bottom right.

SOLD | 30 x 24 inches

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