I Saw Three Ships
One of my favorite
carols when I was a little girl was Nat King Cole’s version of “I Saw Three
Ships”. Maybe it was my favorite because I loved hearing his velvety voice
gently singing through our GE console stereo. Or perhaps, more likely,because
while his album played I could smell the delicious aroma of Christmas cookies my
mom was baking in the kitchen. Whatever the reason, it is a delightful memory.
A memory I recently revisited while painting a scene that involves three ships.
I’ve written before
how much it means as an artist to be requested to paint scenes or decorative
pieces that have a deep personal meaning to the client. Some requests are sweet, like painting a
newborn’s name onto furnishings. Some requests are funny. I was commissioned to
paint a tropical scene reflecting a client’s favorite vacation spot, but it also
had to include the capuchin monkey that had bitten her. Some requests leave a
deep emotional mark. I was commissioned to paint a favorite fairytale scene for
a toddler, so she could see it before she had surgery to remove cancer that
would require removing her eyes. I take these requests very seriously and they
each have a special place in my heart. There’s great joy in painting something
that brings another person pleasure. There’s also a joy in honoring someone
with a creation. The scene with three
ships encompasses all of that.
A friend’s father worked endless hours
assembling replicas of famous ships. These ships are constructed to the
smallest detail. Even the parts inside that you can only see if you were to
remove the outer portions. The rigging of the sails is strung in the same
fashion as the ships they are modeled after. I was told one of the ships had
over eleven hundred hours poured into it. These ships were more than just a
hobby. These ships kept their father’s mind occupied during the painful
struggles he had to endure at the end of his earthly journey. Three of these
ships were brought here to SW Florida. I was requested to paint a New England
sea port scene, so the ships could be mounted into the scene. With the joy of
art brushes in hand and a glorious 23-foot-wide canvas before me, I painted
while Nat King Cole echoed in my head.
A panoramic view:
For durability , as well as, ease of touch ups if ever necessary, the sea portion is painted using latex and glazing. The sky is in various layers of latex, glaze, and acrylics to create textural depth.
Of course, a lighthouse would be needed in the scene:
Acrylics were used for finer detail work.
The left side seaport and seaside chapel:
Nautical braces were chosen to add stability to the shelves :
I would like to think that the client's father is looking down and enjoying this sea port scene with his beautifully crafted ships.
In memory of Raymond Shirk:
#seaportmural #NewEngandmural #custommural
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