The snail.

Comment

Comment by Resident Curator on December 24, 2015 at 9:05pm

Curator’s Comments:

 

I feel like I’ve seen this painting before.  (Please forgive me if I’ve commented on it previously, and my words were intentionally or unintentionally erased!)  But it is quite elegant in its simplicity of design.  I consider its inclusion in your portfolio amid more spectacular scenes of blazing sunsets and tropical scenes even more poignant.  The aesthetic choice to leave a large portion of negative space in the picture plane is in itself daring.  It creates a mood of extended calm, as the viewer slowly takes in the subtle manipulations of light within the pale blue background.  Reading as neither solid ground nor water, the surface is a floating plane.  Rather than camouflage the snail within the scene, the hue contrast also renders it psychologically vulnerable in the open space.  It’s a very satisfying piece, proving the adage that less is sometimes more.