Fear Not The Storm

Here’s a painting that has two different display options. (This has happened once before, with my painting “Quantum Fishics”.) The first display option (vertical) is an abstract representation of a ship struggling to survive during a storm. Sails have been torn, rigging broken, but the captain is holding the wheel steady until the danger subsides.

Turn it sideways, and it literally spells out the message “Fear Not” — a phrase that keeps repeating itself in many of my recent paintings. Below is the original sketch I made of our mangroves in my notebook. Only after bringing the sketchbook into the studio did I notice the words. It struck me as uncanny that every letter manifested — in perfect order — without my conscious intent. The phrase appeared completely unbidden.

I then transferred the image to canvas and began painting. I often rotate the canvas as I work, and that’s when I saw the ship in distress emerge from the mangrove forms.

I’d be interested to hear which orientation suits you the best. Let me know!

For the prequel to this painting, check out "Passing Notes with the Angels"