This painting "All Creatures Great and Small" came about from a walk along the beach at Belongil thinking deeply about the mystery of life. What a great artist mother earth really is to have made such a myriad of wonderful shapes, forms and colours. Then as I stared at this tiny sea creature covered in spikes which washed up at my feet I could see within it a cross that seemed to shimmer from its centre as the sun caught the droplets of water which shook free as it gently rolled along the sand. It struck me that this is where the divine resides inside each living organism and if we do not pay attention then, like the sea, time washes away this revelation of the almighty just as the sea picked up the tiny pufferfish and swept it back beneath the waves. It is there for us to see, appreciate, value and also conserve nature’s great works. All Creatures Great and Small is simply a painting about honoring the beauty and divinity that exists all around and within us. I sought to use big and small images of the urchin to symbolically point out how God is in all creatures both great and small. Walking in nature is truly inspiring to me and I find unlocks a well of spiritual feeling inside of me.
All Creatures Great and Small - 148 x199cm Acrylic on canvas 2009
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Show/hide commentsWe brought the painting home without event and very carefully broughtit upstairs to its new home. We had already cleared the space so it knew it was most welcome to be there. Here's the
interesting thing. I know that paintings and artworks always take on a new dimension the more you look at them and the more you become familiar with them. For me, the painting has truly taken on elevated, divine qualities that words fail to express. I feel as though we are being blessed with a higher power and that a cleansing is taking place. It really is remarkable! It is as though the painting has made this place our home and a sacred space and is truly asking of us to be the best beings that we can be. Shawna and Andrew Darch
Sean, your creative talents never cease to both amaze and inspire me. We are SO looking forward to having your piece on our wall. We came home last night and walked throughout the house having this massive discussion as to where it needs to be. Allowing the piece to speak for itself, it shall be centrally located in the main part of the house, overlooking the ocean
Shawna
Changing shape
This is a remarkable painting because of the immediate effect it has on my emotions. For the first time it visually captures the spiritual life force I believe dwells in all living things. As I look at the image contained within the sea creature it begin as a conventional Christian cross, changing shape as I move back from the painting to become a mysterious shimming figure. For some who see it, the figure will symbolize a godlike image; for me it is an exciting realization of the spiritual entity that resides in us all. It is an outstanding work of art by Sean O'Shea.
Sheridan Stumm
Journalist/Author
Comment:
I'm sure you realize it, but I didn't see the cross at all until it was pointed out. I was only looking at the way the image emanated.
Not sure if you know what I mean because it is an optical illusion, but sometimes when someone is onstage with
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