I've Been Thinking About the Sea

There’s just something about water. More specifically as the title suggests, for me, there’s just something about the sea.

When I was young I was obsessed with sharks. I’d take out every shark book that I could find in the library and read them cover to cover. Learning the names of as many species as I could remember and collecting as much information as I could retain on all aspects of habits, breeding, migration, temperament etc.

I don’t know if this sparked an appreciation and sense of belonging to the sea or if that’s something separate. Either way it’s there, big time.

There is just something that makes me feel at home when I’m near the sea or even better, if I’m in it. It might be to do with the vastness of it, similar to being stood amongst mountains and feeling tiny in comparison. A nice refreshing sense of, ‘do those things that are on your mind really matter at the moment’.

I hoped my children would share a sense of love for the sea and it certainly seems like it’s going that way. A few months back we were fortunate enough to add some quality family time by the coast to our arsenal of happy memories.

When I painted this piece I was thinking of the early morning walks - spent gazing at the water, thinking "I could do with a hit of this everyday" - and our hyper-active screams and amazingly out-of-control laughter, brought on by trying to stand up on a paddle board for the first time.

I’ve been thinking about the sea.

• Oil on canvas
• 360mm x 255mm
  
• D-hooks and picture wire already attached
• Ready to hang