*I encourage you to take in the work from your own perspective. You don't have to read my interpretation of this painting to enjoy it*
Minding the Horizon explores dual themes, revolving around observation. On the one hand there is the literal theme, of my father watching the world around him with an intense and calm focus, which invokes a call to the simple joy of paying attention. To feel the air become heavier as a storm rolls in, to smell the salt and appreciate the rhythm of the waves. Savouring the small moments that life affords. On the other hand, more abstractly, there is the theme of quiet and the destruction of change. The storm darkens the horizon, and also highlights the white in his hair. The sunshine he enjoys illuminates the marks that time has left on him. It is this duality, in savouring the present even while it changes, enjoying the sunshine even as it slips above the oncoming storm, that I wanted to draw attention to.