HOPE Painting

Several years ago I started thinking about a new surreal painting depicting a beach scene in Florida near the turn of the century. At the time I began the design for this painting a pandemic was unthinkable. Our lives were relatively normal and predictable. Unfortunately times have changed. This is a story of premonition, the drama of a looming event remaining ambiguous. Participants are dressed in period costumes. The colour tone was created to replicate a sepia style photograph. A small selection of elements and characters are of a more modern time but the intent is to represent the late 1800s to early1900s. This was a time of dramatic change. The beach was a sanctuary for most. They came to relax, to play, to talk, to think or to dream. But for some people, the beach was more. World events were moving at a rapid pace and this was a place where a few believed the future would be revealed. The stone bathers are by Henry Moore and their placement in the painting was inspired by Picasso’s painting of ‘The Bathers’ (https://poster.mysupadupa.com/products/picasso-the-bathers). They represent a care-free and joyful time. Standing behind the stone bather in the foreground is a gentleman in a top hat, his shape being altered and aggressively blown into a liquid state. This image was inspired by the fluid creations of Dutch fashion designer Iris van Herpen (https://www.irisvanherpen.com/) . A large black crow in flight is heading out to sea and in the distance a man is seen sitting, dressed in a heavy winter parka. Each of these images is a symbol of a darker future. Several beach visitors are pointing towards the horizon but most are blissfully unaware of any advancing event. Something is definitely there. They can see it. Something is coming. The ancient myth of Pandora represented the triumph of hope over despair. Her namesake was a frequent visitor to this beach. She is seen standing at the water’s edge captivated by the sound and movement of the waves. Before Pandora and two of her siblings could bear witness to the unimaginable changes rushing towards them, they will be mysteriously transported to Paris in the painting, ‘La Belle Époque’. On the far right side of the painting, Pandora’s youngest sister stays behind on the beach, intrigued by the small blue globe floating before her. The child has named the globe “HOPE”.

Painting:Oil on Canvas

Original:One-of-a-kind Artwork

Size:60 W x 18 H x 2 D in

Delivery Time:Typically 5-7 business days for domestic shipments, 10-14 business days for international shipments.