Why Frog and Snake Never Play Together Michael Hague

The artwork presents a scene steeped in symbolic ambiguity, centered around two distinct creatures – a frog and a snake – whose interaction is conspicuously absent. Here we see a serpentine form coiled languidly upon the exposed roots of a tree, its body rendered in an unusual palette of vibrant, almost psychedelic colors. These hues, ranging from yellows and oranges to blues and greens, disrupt any expectation of naturalistic representation, suggesting perhaps a fantastical or dreamlike quality. The snake’s head is tilted upwards, as if observing something beyond the immediate frame, contributing to a sense of detachment and introspection.
The background establishes a stark contrast with the foregrounds vibrancy. A dense, dark blue foliage dominates the upper portion, punctuated by patches of white that suggest either moonlight or an obscured light source. This creates a visual barrier between the snake and what lies beyond, reinforcing its isolation. Below this, a band of muted yellow-beige stretches across the lower part of the composition, acting as a ground plane but offering little in terms of detail or narrative suggestion.
A cluster of red mushrooms sprouts from the tree’s roots near the snake, adding another layer of symbolic complexity. Mushrooms are often associated with transformation, hidden knowledge, and even toxicity – a possible allusion to the inherent dangers or misunderstandings that might separate the two creatures at the heart of this scene.
The absence of the frog is significant. Its non-appearance implies a deliberate separation, hinting at an underlying conflict or incompatibility between these animals. The composition doesnt offer any direct explanation for this division; instead, it invites speculation about the reasons behind their estrangement. It could be interpreted as a visual metaphor for prejudice, misunderstanding, or simply the inherent differences that can prevent connection.
The artist’s choice of medium – likely watercolor – contributes to the overall ethereal and somewhat unsettling atmosphere. The fluidity of the paint allows for soft transitions between colors, blurring boundaries and further enhancing the dreamlike quality of the work. Ultimately, the painting is less about a literal depiction of animals and more about exploring themes of division, difference, and the complexities of interspecies relationships through a lens of imaginative symbolism.