The artist says.....
The real story behind this one ... is the painting itself!
You see, I wanted to do this one for a long time, but it was a little risky. I had seen a "technique" (or perhaps one might say, a
"gimmick") used by Japanese propaganda illustrators during WWII. It appealed to me as being quite effective and attractive ... but a little bizarre. However, I have decided to give it a try.
Essentially, I have painted the foreground subjects as 'photorealistically' as possible, whilst the background (and the whole spirit of the piece) tries to capture the traditional (Meisho e ) style of a Japanese woodblock.
(All you kids at home ... don't try this! It only seems to work with Japanese subjects ... and I take no responsibility for any repercussions you may incur ... such as ridicule from fellow artists, or worse ...!)
Sooo ... there you go!
You may be the judge(s) ....!
Other than that, this is a simple , rather placid study of the two I-Boats I-53 and I-58 as they sat in the harbor at Kure, following the surrender to allied forces in 1945.