Aka: End of Day Reflections. (Lobster boats at the wharf).
Name of Artist: Sharon Bourque
Art Title: "Alma 2 Boats" (AKA: End of Day Reflections.; lobster boats at the Wharf.
Size: 8" x 8"
Materials: Acrylic paint and stretch canvas.
Creation Date: October 6, 2023 completed.
Where Created: Moncton, New Brunswick
Image of: Lobster boats by a wharf, at sundown.
Location: The wharf at Alma, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick, Canada.
What's the Story / Significance? :
Alma's wharf is where various fishing industry boats come to rest at the end of the day. Lobster, scallops and crab are amongst some of the seafood fishing industry's treasures, for the east coast Maritimers and tourists. This painting is inspired by visits to Alma, where photo references have been taken. Cold water lobster is a speciality of Alma's region. The buildings in the background also represent actual places, such as the Tides Restaurant, where the artist always goes for dinner when visiting Alma.
"When work ends and stillness can begin, reflection can happen which triggers appreciation for the beauty that exists in our lives." -Sharon Bourque, October 6, 2023.
For Art Students (Art Analysis):
What's different?
This is the first painting for this artist, where the colour wheel was used instead of using all tube paint colours pre-mixed. This means only red, yellow, blue, black and white paint tubes were used, and all other colours were mixed from them, by the artist. This art piece was done to make a good demonstration piece for some of the art concepts being presented on the learning centre web page. The following is an analysis of both 'art elements' in use, and 'art principles' in action.
Composition Layout:
There is a balance of horizontal zones that create a distance perspective. As each zone rises further up the canvas and reaches further back to the horizon in the distance, the objects get smaller and less detailed. This helps with creating a perspective of distance bringing a unity of proportion between objects, comparing sizes to each other as they get further away. Each zone also has a nature element focus, bringing a balance of earth, water, fire (light), air, and a spirit of life into the overall image. Although this would suggest horizontal lines as the layout, each zone has variations in its layout. The foreground at the bottom is angled with its earth-toned rocks. The water has ripples for variation. The middle zone has buildings that seem to spread across the land in a wave pattern. The green tree line is wavy. The clouds in the sky are also wavy. The composition has many 'wavy patterns'. The actual water ripples seem to be more straight than wavy, compared to other objects and areas in the painting.
The composition is reflective, so its nature is restful and still. Even in that stillness, we still find subtle movements in the birds, the water ripples and the passing of time in the sunset. The ripples of waves in the water suggest a timing of movement by the spacing between the waves. This painting integrates both stillness and movement in a balanced way.
Mirroring and reflection are used in the layout. There are 2 boats and 4 birds to mirror horizontally. Vertical mirroring happens between the boats and the water. There are foreground rocks and background rocks. The boats are similar in size and overall shape, although are not completely alike, to allow variety and uniqueness as well.
Colours and painting techniques:
5 colours were used and colour wheel mixing for the other hues. 3 values of highlight, middle tone and shading tone were brought into the colours (particularly seen in the clouds). The canvas was small, so to improve the quality of lines paintbrushes with a single strand of hair were used for the fine line detailing. A brush with water was used to glaze over top of the painted water, to soften and blend it. More detailing is in the foreground, and less in the background. Light reflections were painted on the boats as diagonal highlights.
Colour Balancing and Harmony:
A balance of 3 primary colours are placed in a triangle running between the yellow point of the sun at the horizon, and the points where the 2 boats are in their red and blue hues. These 3 colours were mixed with each other and with white and black, to create all colours used in this painting. Complimentary colours are found in the sky where yellow glows in contrast to the purple-mauve clouds. There are items that bring spots of orange to contrast the blues (see items on top of the boats). The red boat is contrasted with the greenery of the trees. These pairings of complimentary colours help to bring a lively dynamic of colour energy to the painting.
Values (highlights and shades):
When the brightest light is in the background, the items in the foreground will have darker shadows and shading. With the boats, the idea of 'reflective light' from the water also had to be considered, and so light stripes are on the sides of the boats. The clouds demonstrate the intentional use of 3 shades of colour for creating form and depth. Each shade of colour for the clouds was mixed with white and black to make 3 colour shades of the same colour to use together on a cloud. Highlight, shadows and multi-shades of colour hues were used to bring good contrast, to allow form and depth to be built into objects in the painting.
Principle of Variety:
Variety is applied to the shapes and forms in the composition. None of the shapes are to be the same, to provide uniqueness and variety. None of the rocks are to be the same shape and size. The boats are not the same construction, colour or details, yet are similar enough to still give the balancing mirror suggestion. There is variety in the buildings. There is variety in the colours and shapes of the clouds.
Element of Texture:
The rocks at the bottom are considered closer to us and so are larger and more textured in detail than the cluster of rocks in the background, which are higher up on the canvas. The further away in the distance of the painting, the less texture-details occur.
Symbolic Premises:
-birds return to land with the boats ('coming home')
-'home for the night' (returned after working out on the water).
-"down home", Maritime industry (fishing), and location (Alma).
-stability tied and anchored at the wharf,
-reflectiveness in stillness, and yet there is still subtle movement suggested, rhythm and waves, and change of time at end of day sunset.
-balance, mirroring, coupling, twinning yet with some variety,
-emotional satisfaction and balance in the colours.
-dynamic vibrant colour light energy; feel good about life.
-breaker rocks and the wharf provide stability for the boats, and those who live at the shore.
-mirrors, water reflections: for reflecting on life at the end of the day
-satisfaction at the end of a work day (the colours are positive and bright with the light of sunset. Warmer shades of greenery and light suggestive of positivity in life.
-be satisfied at the end of the day, when it's time to come home to rest again.
-soulfulness in the reflective stillness, and prism of sunset colours.
-soulfulness in the depths of the waters, shadows, and what makes you look deeper, beneath the surface of the waters.
-colourful sunsets are a promise for a new good day to come.
-emphases is on the boats (detailed and reflected), and the beauty of the sunset at the end of the workday.
"When work ends and stillness can begin, reflection can happen which triggers appreciation for the beauty that exists in our lives." -Sharon Bourque, October 6, 2023.
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Art printed cards and frame-able prints are available through www.CanadianCoastalArt.com and through the artist at live local shows.
(**On the list of artist's top picks).
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