Sea Cliff Eclipse

This monumental painting is called, “Sea Cliff Eclipse.”

Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30" x 24", Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30″ x 24″, Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee

Eleven silhouetted people stand on top of this impossibly high cliff overlooking the sea, observing the moment of total solar eclipse.

Detail: Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30" x 24", Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Detail: Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30″ x 24″, Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee

The eclipse fills the whole sky, which is lit up in rose and gold. The people from their perch in the sky have the exciting good fortune to witness an unobstructed view of this rare astronomical event.

Detail: Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30" x 24", Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Detail: Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30″ x 24″, Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee

Although the human figures are tiny, they are powerful with personality. There’s a sense of movement and chatter as they all walk towards the edge of the cliff together.

Detail: Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30" x 24", Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Detail: Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30″ x 24″, Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee

The sky and sea are flat washes of color, while the rock formations are so thickly textured they are sculptural.

Detail: Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30" x 24", Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Detail: Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30″ x 24″, Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee

The rocks are built up on the canvas with oil and wax, 1/2″ thick in some places.

Detail: Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30" x 24", Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Detail: Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30″ x 24″, Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee

The sea is a muted blue gray, calm and flat. The contrast between the textures is dramatic.

Detail: Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30" x 24", Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Detail: Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30″ x 24″, Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee

This painting is grand and inspiring! The colors glow.

Detail: Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30" x 24", Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Detail: Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30″ x 24″, Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee

It feels like a unique, magical moment. I would love to be there.

Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30" x 24", Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee
Sea Cliff Eclipse. 30″ x 24″, Oil on Canvas, © 2017 Cedar Lee

All my recent Eclipse paintings will be available in my upcoming Spring Sale May 8-14, and I will have having a solo show with an eclipse theme in Princeton, Kentucky in August/September, to coincide with the big solar eclipse that will be visible from North America on August 21st.

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