The Bird and The Sea

36” x 24” on cellulose paper with archival standards

Painted completely within a vector graphics program called Inkscape - May, 2024

This is part of my "flight" series. Similar to Flight #3, this was printed on Hahnemühle’s German Etching paper.

The paper has a texture which enables lines to appear beautifully and gives each line some depth.

At the South Carolina coast, one can observe pelicans gliding over the waves.

Sometimes they fly individually, other times in groups.

There’s a slight air cushion directly above the water’s surface.

The birds dive down and then glide just above the ocean’s surface for several hundred feet riding the cushion.

They then flap their wings a few times to gain momentum (in the painting, the pelican is just finishing one of the flaps) - and continue to glide.

They do not appear to be hunting for food. But they are enjoying their ability to fly over the waves.

Rather than creating a normal picture of the sea, I wanted to focus on the flow and eddy currents within - showing its energy lines.

I started with a handmade moiré pattern, stretching each line and elliptical shape to fit.

I think this gives a feel to the sea without trying to actually replicate it like a photograph.

1 print was finished at the dimensions of 24” x 36”

Digital prints and larger sizes are available - contact me for more information.

The Bird and the Sea is showing in October, 2024 at:

Epperson Gallery

1400 Pomona Blvd

Crockett,CA 94525