GIANT SEASCAPE, SOMEWHERE, USA, 1954
A gent and tot pose together on a not-quite-cornered, teal frieze-covered armchair that, for some reason, reminds me of a bumper car. It looks so strong and sturdy. Behind them, windowless walls are papered in a rare Mexican pebble print and dressed with an unexpected bamboo pattern on one wall and a CinemaScope-scale scape of ocean waves splashing on a rocky shore on the other.
That smart, cool blue summer suit goes perfectly with the enormous artwork and his tie, even better. We love it when people dress like the décor. We should do it way more often. It’s fun and looks great!
But why, collectively as a society, have we all turned our backs on seascapes? They once graced living room walls of many an American home, usually above the sofa. Where have all the seascapes gone?
Here’s to seascapes of any scale, dressing like the décor and YOU!
Charles Phoenix
Los Angeles
August 26, 2010
There is a seascape in the aquarium at Point Defiance. It is very old and very stylish, it practically looks like a photograph. I love it, but sadly, looking at it gives me vertigo.
GREAT stuff, thanks. I’m nearly fifty and all this rings true, and happily memorable. Time goes so fast and so much is lost due to the wonderful conveniences like the computer and cell phones. Thanks for helping me remember.
The most best of all similar renderings might be that of a four mast clipper ship rounding rocky headlands surmounted by a lighthouse during a storm. Felling a flock at once.
Charles,
I am breathlessly awaiting the answer to the question…what did us humans do before the invention of toilet paper?
Good to hear from you.
Alan Hansen (the Big Donut guy)
Bring back the seascapes.
Reminds me of Nick’s Sea Shore Dining in Pacifica, CA though I doubt that is where it is.
We had a huge sea scape that alternated over the couch or over the credenza. Credenza!!! Loved that word as a kid thinking we were finally middle class and not poor. Which was true
Just flew back to Florida from my Mom’s home in L.A. where a delicious seascape graces the wall above her tourquoise countour sofa. The seascape has been there for 50 of my 63 years and shouts, “HOME” when I walk in the front door! Perpetuating the tradition is a German seascape above my fake fireplace in Tampa–some things are just too precious not to duplicate. Thanks, Charles!
Just wish I knew where this was taken…hotel…home? It does look like Carmel…the seascape rocks! And so does the nice Dad and his little cutie!
Just bought a paint by number seascape at an
estate sale: looks like Carmel coast or Monterey, paid
$3.00: the more we look at it on our wall of vintage artwork the more we love it.
Here’s to estate sales and seascapes! Retail therapy at its best, and restful art!
That’s awesome. I want a seascape. Grandma had a large picture of what looked like ancient Greece in ruins, with crumbling columns and steps. Who knows what happens to that stuff? Ahhh, the memories.