I live now within a 2 hour drive from the Pacific Ocean. I also live near a river that feeds directly into the sea. So it’s been fun to read and think about stories, both fiction and non-fiction, that have to do with water. Books like: “The Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway, “2000 Leagues Under The Sea” by Jules Verne, “Moby Dick” by Herman Melville, tales about pirates, books about the Lewis And Clark expedition and of course the writings of Mark Twain.
And I often see people reading printed books in town and on beaches along the coast. Their facial expressions make me wish I could see what story they were reading. What if a book being read leaked out from the readers mind and into the world beside them?
These musings led to my gouache painting titled “Sea Stories”:
“Sea Stories” by Clancy – 8 x 10 inches – ink and gouache on board
I love that idea of the world of the imagination shaping the real world. That’s almost what it feels like to be absorbed in a book, with the real world dissolving. I often get lost in books I’m reading, including in public. Someone on a train once expressed concern for me because I looked so upset but it was just a passage in a book I was reading. Also, I’m a fan of ‘Moby Dick’ and don’t know many people who’ve actually read it so I’m thrilled to learn you are one of them.
Thanks for your wonderful comment!! I’m glad I’m not the only one who has noticed the world dissolving due to a book!! How nice that someone expressed concern for you!! That’s special!! I’ve gotten absorbed in a book and missed my stop on light rail several times. Lol! I love ‘Moby Dick’ and have read it multiple times. I have not known of many people who’ve read it either and I’m delighted to know you are one too!! Thank you for that!!
What book do you imagine the person reading in your painting (who looks suspiciously like you)? Looks like a combo of a river boat story and (Mark Twain?) and a seafaring adventure. Your paintings always have so many captivating details.
I’m on a mission these days when I see lists of male authored books (which happens a lot) to counter-list with women authored books. Here are a few books about the sea from a woman’s POV: Lisa See’s “The Island of Women”, Virginia Woolf’s “The Waves”, “The Outrun” by Amy Liptrot. Though I have not read these, “The Island of Women” sounds excellent and I’m planning to pick up a copy today.
Lol! Caught me Susanne – it is indeed a sort-of self-portrait! Re: the book – I imagined reading an anthology with all the classic sea stories in one volume. I’m a fan of anthologies – especially when there’s a theme. And thanks for noticing all the details I spend time putting into my art – it means a lot that you noticed!
Yes, I was painfully aware that I’d listed a bunch of male authored books – but they were what I’d read recently. Except for Jules Verne – didn’t read him – but have several family members who’d served on submarines and Verne was related to those people/memories. So…. (to quote Molly Ivins) I “danced with the ones what brung me.”
I am very glad to have a list of women authors who wrote about the sea!! Thank you for that!! I’m making a list for my next library/bookstore visit right now…