Mystery Ship Painting Inspiration

My love of the ocean is a huge part of this inspiration. Since my first visit to Florida around age 8, I knew I wanted to live there. I made that dream come true in my 20’s when I moved there and worked various jobs on the beach, including a cruise ship. Although I’m currently in Georgia, I’m still very fond of the ocean waters.

A Few Snippets of the Mystery Ship Painting Process

How the Mystery Ship Painting Evolved

The Mystery Ship painting is my latest large oil painting. Since taking up my life passion for painting, I’ve networked extensively on Facebook where I’ve found some amazing art and photography groups which led to a wonderful photo inspiration from a fellow creative Ruth Archer.

Due to commissions and other activities, I had set the planned project aside for a while but knew I’d paint it. I finally painted it recently. The Mystery Ship painting was unveiled and well received at the annual Creative Mill hosted by Randall-Paulson Architects.

Completed Mystery Ship Painting

Here is my artistic take on  Ruth’s amazing photo. The folds in the sails were the most challenging. Click on the painting for a better view or additional information.

Mystery Ship painting by Tina A Stoffel

 Initial Mystery Ship Photo Inspiration

The image is the painting inspiration. The colors, composition, ship, and feel of the sea captivated me and I knew I had to paint this. This photo was captured in Brixam, in the UK. Please note this is a copyright protected photo.

Mystery Ship Name Inspiration

Any of you classic rock folks remember the song Ride Captain Ride originally recorded by Blood Sweat and Tears. However, the version I’m most familiar with was created by Blues Image. The song was on my playlist various times during my painting sessions.  The lyrics Mystery Ship are throughout the song.

 

My favorite lyrics in the song are: “We’re callin’ everyone to ride along to another shore Where we can laugh our lives away and be free once more”

 

Here is the song that inspired the title:

 

 

This painting is now available at RobertKent Galleries.  It may be in this upcoming Friday Artwalk if he does not take it on a sales trip.

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Written by Tina A Stoffel