With this piece, I wanted to evoke the quiet, nostalgic warmth of early mornings by the water, channeling the classic feel of those iconic Old Pal metal and plastic tackle boxes that used to be a staple on every dock and lakefront shoreline.
The composition anchors around a central, container-like structure painted in soft putty grey and deep emerald green, surrounded by sweeping horizontal planes of muted lavender, dusky plum, warm earth tones, and water-logged greens. Thick, impasto brushstrokes and heavy palette knife scrapes build a dense, metal-and-moss texture across the surface, creating a weathered, tactile rhythm of compartmented layers and aged patinas that draw the viewer straight into the memory of a well-worn fishing kit.
Working in oil on paper, the absorbent texture grounds the heavy paint layers while allowing the rough, energetic tool marks to stand out with raw intensity. Old Pal is about that enduring sense of companionship, outdoor tradition, and the trusted gear that carries years of quiet memories on the water.
