The Sunburnt Fisherman

About the Artwork:

“The Sunburnt Fisherman is a stream of consciousness painting executed straight onto oil paper with no preplanning or sketching.

In this painting a sunburnt fisherman gazes out with tired eyes. His skin matches the red sky alluding to the idea that he is one with this harsh environment. His headwear is somewhere between a cap and a Crown adorned with a gold cross. On the horizon of the green sea there is a boat with two fishermen. One reaches down into the water, their arm becoming one with the boat and the ocean.

The fisherman is boney, burnt and he looks tired, and yet with his upright posture, forward gaze and crown he also looks noble and authoritative. In this narrative I appreciate the nobleness that I imagine these fishermen must have with their unparalleled knowledge of the sea and the tenacity and endurance required for their work. My father was a Plumber by trade, very stoic in his manner and in his spare time would tirelessly volunteer in the community so perhaps that is subconsciously affecting my relationship with this painting.” - Cynthia Howard