Lambase, Barbara – Donnatalee 04 (end Barbara Lambase

The composition presents a vertical arrangement dominated by water and figures positioned within a coastal setting. A young girl, clad in a red and white checkered bathing suit, is centrally placed, her gaze directed upwards with closed eyes, suggesting a moment of peaceful contemplation or perhaps sensory immersion. She appears to be partially submerged in the advancing waves, holding a yellow bucket close to her body.
To the right of the girl, an oversized, stylized fish – rendered in vibrant orange and punctuated with white spots – looms large, its presence both whimsical and slightly unsettling. The scale disparity between the child and the fish immediately establishes a sense of fantasy or dreamlike quality. Several smaller, similarly stylized fish are scattered within the waters surface, contributing to this surreal atmosphere.
The background reveals a cityscape rendered in muted blues and grays, receding into a hazy distance. This urban backdrop contrasts sharply with the natural environment of the beach, creating a visual tension between civilization and wilderness. The sky is a pale blue, devoid of distinct cloud formations, which further emphasizes the flatness of the pictorial space.
The artist employs a palette characterized by warm reds and yellows juxtaposed against cool blues and greens. This color scheme evokes feelings of warmth, playfulness, and vitality, while also hinting at an underlying melancholy or introspection. The brushwork is loose and expressive, contributing to the painting’s overall sense of fluidity and movement.
Subtextually, the work seems to explore themes of childhood innocence, vulnerability, and the relationship between humanity and nature. The girls closed eyes suggest a retreat from external reality into an internal world of imagination or memory. The oversized fish could be interpreted as a symbol of the unknown, representing both wonder and potential danger inherent in the natural world. The juxtaposition of urban and coastal elements may allude to the complexities of modern life and our connection to the environment. Ultimately, the painting invites viewers to contemplate the fragility of childhood and the enduring power of imagination.