Minesweepers, Halifax 1919

Arthur Lismer made *Minesweepers, Halifax* in oil paint, with a brushy technique that feels immediate and in-the-moment. Lismer's sea is a symphony of blues and greens, each stroke a deliberate choice, building up a surface that almost moves. The waves churn and break with visible energy. It’s a textured field – you can almost feel the salt spray. Look up to the sky, the yellows and blues are less turbulent, but still active, a painted contrast to the ship bravely heading into the unknown. The smoke billowing out the ship is a thick grey plume. It's rendered with heavy impasto, giving a physical weight to the ephemeral cloud. This reminds me of Courbet, who wasn't afraid to load paint onto the canvas, creating a sense of raw, unfiltered reality. Ultimately, *Minesweepers, Halifax* is about the process of seeing and feeling, reminding us that art is as much about the journey as the destination.