The Fluke

Virginia Duerst

Watercolor

“The Fluke was reminiscent of a trip to Bar Harbor, where a whale’s tale rose from the water in a slow, powerful arc before disappearing again beneath the surface. That brief encounter revealed why people gather at the railings of boats and travel so far to see them. Whales remind us of how small we are and how deeply connected we remain to the living creatures of the sea. To create this watercolor, I leaned into techniques that echo the movement and texture of the ocean itself. Dry brush strokes created the sparkle of the distant shoreline and the scatter of the splashing water. Gradients of several blues created the effect of distance. The sky was completed with wet in wet techniques and lifting to give the appearance of softness and movement. Many whale species face growing threats from climate change, pollution, ship strikes, and the lingering effects of whaling. The Fluke is dedicated to their protection, an inspiration to safeguard these giants of the sea.

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Size: 14″ x 11″

Price: $210

Contact aprilhc@eauclaire.lib.wi.us for details.