Tuesday, 01 February 2011 02:58
Written by Alex Schaffer Czech
"Birch Bay" 2011
48" X 96"
$8000
I have spent a tremendous amount of time in Washington State. I use to spend the summers with my Grandad and Baba (Grandma) on the Hood Canal fishing, crabbing, collecting oysters on the beach, and digging for clams. I would spend months at a time with them during my summer break as a kid. Countless hours were spent staring at the water, beach combing, and chopping wood. Several years after Baba passed away and Grandad re-married (his elementary school sweety), my Grandad sold his Hood Canal property. We continued to spend time in Washington and Canada fishing, crabbing, and doing the things that salty sea dogs like to do together. Grandad later ended up moving into my new Grandma's ocean front property in Birch Bay and they have been there for the last 12 years. Unfortunately, my Grandad had a stroke that paralyzed him and he had to be moved into a home because it was too difficult for my Grandma to take care of him. This has been rough on me, because my Grandad means the world to me. I guess I am telling you this story because it involves the background for the overall mood of this work of art. At times the water in Birch Bay goes from green to blue dependent on the color of the sky. This particular painting takes place at night.
I was inspired to create this piece while sitting in the dark watching the reflection of the moon. I was in town to see my Grandad for the second time after he had his stroke. I remember the water was real blue earlier in the day. I thought to myself that first morning when I woke up, "this is such an amazing spot." After seeing my Grandad in the day, that night I went and sat on the beach and thought about my Grandad's health, how much longer he would be around, and how fortunate I have been to have him in my life. My emotions were calmed by the meditative movement of the moon light as it moved across the wind swept bay. I wanted to sit there and ball, but for some reason I just sat and thought about the good times we have had ... he was still here for heavans sake.
The night that I sat there and observed the moon light, the water was actually black in appearance. When I came home and began the painting I started with a palette of black, white, and mixed grey tones to match the event that I saw. As I continued to paint I had this desire to add hues of blue . I couldn't help but think about my Grandad while making this piece. Maybe I added the blue because it reminded me of his Nordic blue eyes. Or perhaps I wanted to add some warmth to this painting so that it had life and energy. (I know that blue is considered a "cool" color. :-) I felt that it was necessary nonetheless. I think I made this decision because I didnt want to create a dark work of art that reflected the overall amazing experiences I have had in my life with Grandad on the sea in this area. I look at the painting now and it reminds me of how the sea has taken care of me. It was my Grandad who introduced me to how water can nurture our soul and listen to us when we need to be heard. He showed me how it provides food for us and can be our playground. I cant tell you how many times I watched Grandad fall asleep while trolling, only to be woken up by me telling him that he had a fish on. We have had so many good times together. This painting isnt about being sad or good times long gone. It is about life and how we carry on enjoying the little things. We all bring our own story to a work of art when we see it. I feel the background story behind this work's inspiration is important to this piece. When you have a chance to see it, please let me know your thoughts.
Grandad is still with us and is doing well in the home he now lives in. I know he misses fishing and spending time on the water. If you know him though, you would not feel sorry for him. He retired when he was 50 and has lived large ever since! I will carry on his love for the ocean and will pass the same passion that he instilled in me to our future generations.
