Arctic Plunge Original Oil
42" X 30"
It has been a while since I have blogged. Right now I have a number of paintings in various stages of drying. This one was finally dry enough to snap a photo.
After all the spots of the large leopard piece, I wanted to stretch and play with some color and impressionistic action. A polar bear lunging (plunging) after his harbor seal dinner hit the spot.
Since I have seen polar bear diving in after beluga whales from rock perches, I am sure this scene has happened. A bear spots a seal at the ice breathing hole, the seal slips beneath the surface, and the bear, not wanting to lose his supper, dives right in.
What made the painting challenging and fun was the underwater perspective. I have been fully submerged (in a bathing suit, no less) in Antarctic waters, and have snorkeled with beluga whales in Hudson Bay. I have not been underwater in Hudson Bay when it is covered in ice.
But then, what is the fun in painting only those things you have seen? The Sistine Chapel would be pretty dull if Michelangelo had only painted the merchants, farmers, and nobles of his day. And without DaVinci's Last Supper fresco, we would have missed out on Dan Brown's best seller.
I figure every time I try something new, I learn. It may be a while before I figure out what it was, but I usually find something.
2 comments:
Love it!!! I really want to see the polar bears some day...wanna go?
Actually, I am going again to see them this Fall. Polar bears in the fall tundra of Manitoba. In the wilds. Can't wait. Last time it was in the height of summer with all the flowers in full bloom.
And yes, would love to take a trip with you sometime.
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