Undertow Daniel Merriam

The composition presents a densely layered underwater scene rendered in watercolor. A warm, ochre-yellow light permeates the upper portion of the frame, suggesting sunlight filtering through water and creating a hazy atmosphere. Numerous small fish populate this illuminated space, appearing as fleeting glimpses amidst the complexity below.
Dominating the central area is a large, stylized fish form, its scales depicted with an intricate pattern of overlapping washes in shades of gold, brown, and olive green. This figure seems to be partially obscured by other organic forms – bulbous shapes resembling fruit or coral, elongated tendrils that suggest seaweed or kelp, and translucent membranes evoking jellyfish or floating debris. The artist has employed a technique of layering and blending colors to create a sense of depth and ambiguity; it is difficult to discern precisely where one form ends and another begins.
The lower portion of the painting descends into deeper shadow, with hues shifting towards reds, purples, and darker greens. Here we see more abstract shapes that contribute to the overall feeling of an enclosed, almost claustrophobic environment. The forms are less defined, contributing to a sense of mystery and potential danger.
Subtly interwoven within this aquatic landscape are elements that hint at human presence or influence. A suggestion of architectural structure – perhaps a crumbling tower or column – is visible amongst the organic shapes, hinting at a submerged civilization or the remnants of human intervention in the natural world. This juxtaposition of natural forms and artificial structures introduces an element of narrative tension.
The overall effect is one of teeming life, but also of potential peril. The density of the composition, combined with the ambiguous nature of the forms, creates a sense of unease and suggests themes of hidden depths, submerged secrets, and the precariousness of existence within a complex ecosystem. The painting evokes a feeling of being drawn into an environment that is both beautiful and potentially overwhelming – a visual representation of being caught in an undertow.