Michael Whelan

FLIGHT OF DISCOVERY (2013)
Acrylic on Canvas - 16" x 12"

The stonework was based on ruins we saw in Wales, near a place called Three Cliffs on the Gower Peninsula. We had spent most of the day walking on the gorgeous beach there and looking for fossils in the rocks nearby. 1/4

Feb 5 at 2:25pmWeb
Show threadMichael WhelanFeb 5
Eventually the day was waning fast so we decided to make our way back, but chose to go out via a different route than we took coming in. After a brief ascent up a winding trail we passed by the ruins of an old fortification which was just catching the rays of the setting sun. 2/4
Show threadMichael WhelanFeb 5
The vivid orange light was shining through the space in the upper part of the structure, and even though we had to hurry back the sight of it stopped me in my tracks. 3/4
Show threadMichael WhelanFeb 5

Some time later back home, I recalled the memory and decided to commit it to paint…but with a couple of additional elements I “saw” in my head. I appreciated the symbolism therein, so rather than question it I just painted it the way it was “meant" to be.

https://www.michaelwhelan.com/galleries/flight-of-discovery/

Show threadRobin BartonFeb 5
@MichaelWhelan I love your photo