When a Painting Speaks

"I no longer know what I'm going to paint. It seems that I stand there and float, brushes in hand, occasionally smoothing the canvas with some pigment, not really understanding the direction that the motif will eventually take. I used to plan my compositions and follow them stringently. I still have some plan in mind, but the procedure of operations seems to be more instinctive than deliberate." 

Al Sprague, Artist's Journal, March 8, 1991

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Safe Harbor, 2023

Sometimes paintings just speak to you. Safe Harbor is one of those paintings for me. I can remember the phone conversation with Dad about this painting... he was really excited about what he was portraying on the canvas but he was unsure if there were too many fishermen on the boat. He kept saying, "I don't know if it is too busy." I simply said, "You will know if it is right." 

Dad would always send me photos of his completed works and ask me to post them online for others to see. As soon as I laid my eyes on Safe Harbor I knew it wasn't going to leave the Sprague Family Art Collection. In my mind, it is a masterpiece with a great story to tell. 

When I look at this composition I see so many things about life playing out. First of all, life will never be an easy road. Sometimes we will encounter storms and rough waters but you can always find a safe harbor. Rely on your family and friends and you can get through anything life throws your way. 

I don't think this is what Dad was portraying in Safe Harbor, but it's how this painting speaks to me every day. It is proudly displayed in a space that I see multiple times throughout the day and it reminds me to seek out the safe harbors in life and to always rely on the support of my family and friends.