SILVER TIDE

Nov 12, 2024

View from an observation deck looking out on a turbulent sea of tall frosted waves that look almost like a range of mountains. The walls, floor and ceiling are all made of concrete. There are blue and yellow painted markings on the floor to the right and a rusted drain to the left. Set on a pillar partially blocking the view is a shiny clock with a black face and gold trim. The hour hand is not quite at 6 while the minute hand is between 55 and 56. — SILVER TIDE (2006), Acrylic on Canvas - 60" x 36"

Painted as I was 55 turning 56 and pondering the intransigence of time. I swear I was not consciously thinking, "Time and Tide wait for no man!"

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Additional images from SILVER TIDE

LEFT: Detail from SILVER TIDE featuring a water stain on the concrete ceiling. The pattern is river shaped running down seam between panels, thinning in width as it reaches the far wall. The edges are a white residue left when water evaporated, leaving minerals behind, suggesting this is not the first cycle of weathering that has taken place. On the concrete support with rough seas showing on either side, a round clock is mounted with hands articulating to 5:56. The face is black with gold trim, numbers and hands. The glass covering is glossy in reflection of light. RIGHT: Detail from SILVER TIDE featuring the weathered concrete of the foreground. On the lower left is a rusted grate. On the right a yellow line is bordered by a blue striped area, like a parking space marking with a handicap loading zone marked off next to it. There was a notice posted on the wall, but the paper has mostly torn away leaving only a 6-6 in the corner. A seam runs up from the floor up the wall where concrete panels meet. Below the support pillar, a bolt weeping rust is recessed in the upper corner of each panel. — Details from SILVER TIDE

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Debra Sanders

Debra’s Substack

Nov 12Liked by Michael Whelan

My husband -- a Navy vet -- really enjoyed this piece.

We watched your Spotlight on the Arts video. SO wonderful to actually hear you describe your work, your process. The result of, as you say, distilling what an author is thinking -- has miraculous results. Your call from Heinlein re: Friday must have been a thrill.

Thank you for this subscription; we're loving it every day.

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gary

gary’s Substack

Nov 13

Born and raised in Massachusetts, your sea scenes make me feel the air of Cape Cod.

SILVER TIDE

Additional images from SILVER TIDE

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