"The Undertow" Original Painting

24” x 36” Acrylic Painting on Canvas. Two-inch-thick gallery wrapped canvas; sides painted black.

Explore the painting in detail by clicking here to view a high-resolution image. Zoom in to discover the intricate details of the artwork.

The meaning of this piece revolves around the concept of maintaining childlike faith in the face of adversity. Despite enduring hardships and facing mental and physical abuse, the child depicted here navigates life's challenges with remarkable resilience. Children, untouched by fear, often encounter life's complexities with innocence until societal influences shape their perceptions. In this painting, the child is escaping his own reality through literature, he has created a world where all his fears have gone away. Despite the great white shark and hammerheads surrounding him, ready to devour him, he does not fear them. instead, the child reads his book, a hobby of his where he can drown out his anxiety and problems. Immersing himself in tales of the sea and its formidable inhabitants, the sharks. Amidst the perilous waters, he finds refuge, symbolizing the power of imagination to transcend fear and adversity. This artwork serves as a personal reminder to embrace courage and resilience in confronting life's trials, reflecting on the innocence and strength of childhood resilience.