Original Painting: Ocean by James Edward Scherbarth

Blue on blue, scratched through with fine lines, and a few dark shapes drifting below the surface.

This original painting, Ocean, is by James Edward Scherbarth, dated 2010, in oil and cold wax on cradle board, signed and dated en verso. Cold wax mixed with oil paint makes a thicker, matte paste that can be built up in layers and then scraped or scratched back. Here a field of saturated cobalt and cerulean is crossed by countless fine incised lines. Small dark purple marks float near the top, and a darker vertical form rises near the bottom. The color deepens and lightens in soft, uneven patches across the panel. It is 12 inches wide and 12 high.

Deep water, conveniently square.