'Osealia' - oil - 20x24 - ©2011 Marc R. Hanson
Yes... This one is closely related to John E Millais' painting of the character 'Ophelia' in Shakespeare's play. But in this case, it's the seal world and 'Osealia' that I've chosen to paint. The painting is going to and the show celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Cape Cod National Seashore's establishment by then President Kennedy. This is a Grey Seal, at one time hunted heavily, even with a bounty on it's head due to it's like of the same fish that we like, but is now doing quite well. Especially along the Cape Cod shoreline, in large part due to this Act and the CC National Seashore. Watching these large animals, 10-12 feet, playing in the water, gliding on their backs and always with those large lonesome eyes starring back at you, made me think that this one on it's back was nearly just like 'Ophelia' in Millais' painting. I had some fun with it.
Here's Millais' Ophelia...
18 comments:
Ophelia is unfortuately dead, your seal looks as its having fun...its a lovely painting.
Great title and a great painting!
Nice painting Marc, unusual subject for you! Love the title.
Growing up in Maine, seals were everywhere. Poking their heads up to watch us and basking in crowds on the granite ledges. As children we loved their gentle harmlessness, and their clowning enchanted us. This exquisite painting reminds me of the them and of how lucky we were to have them as friends. It'll be a wonderful addition to the show at the Cape.
What a great idea for a painting! And beautifully painted!
"Get thee to a rookery" as opposed to a nunnery... Seriously, I like it. As to takes on Millais' "Ophelia", Bill Evans' and Jim Hall's 1962 "Undercurrent" album cover art is much the same scene but from a slightly different view.
Amazing painting. I hadn't known you would/could do a subject like this one!
This is really wonderful.
I love the way you've played with the title and the theme.
Thank you for your comments. It's still grey, snowy and rainy. Where is April?
The difference between the 'grey' of the seals' coat when it's out of the water and when it's under the water was the 'warm and cool' problem solving issue. I love these seals, they're large, up to 12 feet in length, lumbering and yet they float around like they don't weigh an ounce. Quite the contradiction.
Just happy that this species wasn't slaughtered into extinction and are steadily increasing in numbers.
I think that as artists we have pivotal paintings along our path that in retrospect we see as having taken us in directions that are sometimes unexpected. This may be one for me. Having a reason for painting anything is becoming as important to me as the act of painting itself. Time will tell.
Thanks again, you are all so inspirational...
Very interesting!
Hi there. I really appreciate the points you made. I don’t think I’ve actually thought about it in that way. I can really appreciate how you approached the subject matter and what you said really gave me a new perspective. Thanks for taking the time to write this all out
A very elegant solution Marc.
I just stumbled upon your blog while searching for the Ophelia image and am blown away by your Osealia painting. How gorgeous and inventive. I'm so glad i found it!
Lindsay Living
Thanks Concetta.
I appreciate your comments Angus.
Deutschland... I thoroughly enjoyed painting this painting. Having a reason to paint is everything or we just make images.
Lindsay... Welcome to my blog and thank you for your kind comments. I'm glad that the painting has brought me a new visitor. :) Stay tuned for more. I just returned from South Africa and am in the process of writing up the trip with some paintings and a lot of photos. Cheers... Marc
I keep returning to this painting Marc. I think I have fallen in love...
with a seal! Something about this painting speaks to me, that's for sure.
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