TOW #11 Whale Painting

Many mediums have been used to capture the intense beauty of nature, but none perhaps are as expressive as the art of painting. Many unfortunate environmental circumstances however, like pollution and emissions, threaten the existence of nature's beauty. Artist Jakub Poriz has painted a series of environmental paintings in order to exemplify nature's beauty, and raise awareness of the action needed to be taken to prevent its destruction. Through his use of color and brush strokes, he paints a picture (pun intended) of a serene ocean scene, allowing the viewer to see the beauty of the ocean, and perhaps feel compelled to protect it.
Poriz uses mainly light colors in the painting. There is an impression of sunlight streaming through the water and blessing the whales. The whales are darker upon the light water making them stand out to the viewer. The light colors create a sense of calmness of the painting, making the audience connect with the paradisal ocean and want to preserve its serene beauty. The contrast of the whales' bodies make the whales stand out and is significant in making the whales seem more real to audience, many of whom have probably never seen a whale in real life. By accenting the fact that the whales are real creatures, he allows the viewer to connect to the animals and feel like they should protect them.
The brush strokes Poriz uses are very fine and add to the intricacy of the painting. They contrast the bulkiness associated with whales generally and add a unique beauty to the scene. They also create a movement in the painting. One can imagine the whales moving in a lackadaisical manner. The brushstrokes make the reader associate the scene in the painting with peacefulness and beauty, something they should want to protect.
Poriz sells this painting and many others to make others aware of the beauty of the environment, and to call for a change to protect it. The profits from the prints of these paintings go to environmental efforts.