Odyssey

This piece marks a solid change for me, in the fact that is is made up of many transparent layers and gestural brushstrokes instead of the thicker, more solid layers I generally use. It brings the excitement of my experimental drawings into my oil paintings, something I’ve been working towards for years.

“Odyssey” used techniques from my watercolor and drawing background, resulting in a fresh approach. I usually begin my oils on black gesso and draw the light out of this surface. This piece started on a white canvas, followed by a glazed out transparent Italian Burnt Sienna, into which I wiped out lighter sections with a paper towel. Next I added highlights, still with glazed out layers, then followed by pushing the darker tones, also with the glazing.

I’m very pleased with the liveliness and freshness of this piece overall, and the joy of working in a style I have not used in years.

“The Odyssey is a 90’ yawl designed by Olin Stephens for Mrs. Barklie Henry, a Vanderbilt granddaughter. Built in New York in 1938, the Odyssey quickly proved herself as a winning member of the racing community of Long Island Sound. The family enjoyed cruises to Cuba to visit Ernest Hemingway, and also to the Galapagos Islands. The US Navy commandeered the boat for the duration of World War II, where she served our country in radar, sonar testing, and echo sounding studies. After the war, she continued to serve the Navy as a research vessel out of Woods Hole, later in San Diego, and finally in the recreation program. The Odyssey found a new home with the Pacific Harbors Council of the Boy Scouts of America in 1978, and now serves as a sail training vessel with the Sea Scouts of Tacoma.” Sea Scout Odyssey