Above It All ~ Brown Pelican’s downtime!
The busy world below of motorboats going by, people paddle boarding and kayaking, fishermen and shrimpers working the docks can all get to be a bit much for a pelican sometimes. Mix all that in with the constant search for fish, flying in bad weather, living communally with so many other pelicans, and occasionally a pelican has to find some “down” time.
This Brown Pelican has chosen a mid-century modern industrial design layout for his get away respite, the top rigging of a shrimp boat. Not exactly your dad’s La-Z-Boy or your mom’s soft napping chair! He likes the open concept, with an expansive view. He likes clean lines, a neutral palette, simple shapes, and the sturdiness of solid steel underneath.
Above it All by William R. Beebe, 40 x 40, Oil on board, $11,000
He can tuck his large webbed feet underneath, put his head down, and close his eyes if he wants and still feel secure with a strong wind blowing. Or, he can keep an eye open for the next fishing boat to return with his next meal.
He feels right at home around block pulleys, wire rope, and the other industrial elements aboard a shrimp boat.
I also love the industrial hardware in his surroundings. I guess some of it is the maritime artist in me. I was drawn to the Crosby Western block pulley, its worn look and the way it attaches to the boat. The ironwork creates some nice shapes, made more interesting by light and shadows. The wired ropes lead the eye downward after the initial focus is on the pelican and his raised bill.
Above It All by William R. Beebe, rigging detail
The gray sky was chosen to create the overall neutral palette surrounding the pelican. I first applied a warm gray as the base coat and then a cooler gray top coat. This created a bit of an atmospheric look to the sky.
Above It All is an oil painting on a hardboard surface. I liked the idea of this particular image being on board instead of canvas, adding just that much more strength to the painting. I applied a little bit of texture where needed with a palette knife.
Lastly, I loved the look of the pelican, his feather pattern, and his pose. When I look at him I think that is one happy and content bird!
Above It All by William R. Beebe, pelican detail
Thank you for reading my journal and for your interest in my art! Please check back soon to see what’s next on my easel.
“One of the joys of being an artist is having the freedom to follow my passion….”
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Drawing by William R. Beebe