Sunday 1 April 2012

Tides

Low Tide, watercolour on paper, 23x36cm, 2012 © Matteo Grilli

A stretch of coastline relatively untouched, hidden and primeval lies where the only audible sounds are those of the sea, the wind, the elements and the birds. Just like this for millennia, with the only exception for human voices, occasional and far. Now it is high tide, the sandy patch, the rocks and the pools of yesterday are now a vortex of currents, foam and huge pounding waves. Like all places between land and sea, change is here continuous and tangible.


The waves are relentless, despite the submerged cliffs they still are living and moving mountains of water which become a shattering white explosion overcoming everything. One after the other. There is something fascinating about waves, their relative slowness, languor and unpredictability, their motion and tenacity: irrepressible and necessary. The grace, beauty and power of the ocean's nature is accomplishing its task. 


I wonder where all yesterday's creatures are, the sea cucumbers, the shells, dead or alive, the plovers, the oystercatchers, the seagulls and the dolphins. All under cover, but then it is their home, they know its ways. Every now and then some seagull flies along the coastline southwards, just like the terns and a pair of oystercatchers. The noise of the waves is deafening and endless, but it induces a feeling of peace and soundness. Watching and listening to the mighty force of the ocean from a fair distance is both reassuring and comforting. For now the inhabitants of the coast will have to find their daily bread somewhere else, or wait for the tide to recede.
Woody Heads - NSW


19 comments:

  1. Wonderful - thank you for such beauty.

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  2. Very beautiful. How long does it take to make such a detailed watercolor?

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  3. I love the beautiful treasures deep in the sea and when they're left on the shore it's like a gift ... your artwork is a lovely reflection of such gifts.
    I collect shells - sea treasures - this is wonderful!

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  4. Hi, Matteo,
    I really love them all!! Apart from paintings, I love your watercolour kit, too! Yes, we have beautiful beaches!
    Cheers,Sadami

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  5. Beautiful Matteo, words and paintings xx

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  6. Matteo, these drawings are really spectacular--as is your writing. You have a bit of the poet in you. The drawings I wanted to see enlarged are the ones in your photograph of your drawing materials. They look like the ebb of the tides. Very interesting. Lots of motion/emotion. Nothing wrong with your balance.

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    1. Thank you very much L.W., although I'm not sure if I've got a bit of a poet in me, that was just what I saw and experienced, I guess there is lots of poetry in nature that could be discovered. Cheers!

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  7. Matteo, beautiful deep words and lovely page.I am in awe at your materials- you try your colours so much before painting, and use very few godets. Your palette is so clean So different from my own messy way.

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  8. What a stunning assortment of finds. As always your posts educate as well as inspire. A great painting and great words. :)

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  9. Ciao,Matteo!posso scrivere in italiano!?Mi piace moltissimo il modo con cui metti insieme disegno e colore.Ha qualcosa di fuori dal tempo che mi colpisce sempre.Mi ricorda che sono stata una raccoglitrice di piume sassi conchiglie e pietre che mi piaceva disporre e ridisporre solo per il gusto di guardarle sulla mia scrivanìa.Tu le metti insieme per sempre trasmettendomi la stessa emozione!Sono contenta di averti trovato sul web e di poter guardare i tuoi lavori così poetici e leggere le parlole con cui li accompagni!

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    1. Ciao Rita! Certo che puoi scrivere in italiano! Grazie per il tuo commento, mi fa molto piacere sapere che i miei lavori hanno avuto un riscontro nei tuoi ricordi.
      Grazie ancora

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  10. Wonderful and beautiful assortment of finds Matteo. Great painting, marvelous.
    lovely greet
    Marja

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  11. Love shells, one of my favourite subjects - and particularly sea treasures washed up ... beautifully done, thanks so much for showing this lovely collection.

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  12. Thank you all for your kind and constant support, it is very very much appreciated!

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  13. I am in awe of your work...I absolutely LOVE your style....

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  14. I love you work, your style is just amazing, you're an unbelievable talent.
    Where can I buy your work?

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    1. Hello KMac! Thank you for your message and question, I hope this will answer:
      http://www.matteogrilli.blogspot.com.au/p/shop.html

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