New 2012

______________________________________________________________
 This painting by Caryl Westergren, named “Tropic Waters of Light; 2012” is done in acrylic and is quite a colorful depiction; an absolute feast for the artistic eye! The picture itself depicts a sea right after sunset, which is apparent from the occasional red areas in the sky. Towards the horizon, a few boats come into view upon darker waters. This seems to refer to an idea of freedom or search for freedom, as the boats and ships set sail away from the harbor venturing out into deeper waters. Boats and ships typically imply the spirit of exploration, and the dark waters upon which they are seen indicate a fear of the unknown that keeps so many people away from adventure. But regardless of the fearful depths of the sea, those boats continue to move forward. This painting thus inspires. Another notable feature of the painting is the variety of colors used to portray the seawater, contrary to the sky, which is painted with minimal variety of colors. The sea is and has always been an object of inspiration and emotion for people. Apart from being a medium for exploration, the sea is also a source of food and home to a vast variety of sea-life. The sea is a continuous body of deep water that one can gaze at to the end of time and still not feel uninterested. It is an animated world to which one can convey secrets; sometimes it is a soulful thing that can listen to one’s extreme emotions and yet ask nothing in return. All these different faces of the sea are skillfully portrayed in Caryl’s painting. The houses upon stilts that stand amidst the water remind us of how we are not greatly separated from nature; that we share each other’s space and benefits like our own. It is an overall beautiful depiction of the connection of humanity to nature.Written by Stenila Simon