By: Stephen McMillan

Medium: 3 plate aquatint etching
Year: 2019            
ImageSize: 9 x 6 inches

An abstracted view of a harbor scene captured through shifting reflections on water. Vertical bands of color—blues, whites, charcoal blacks, and a striking accent of red and gold—are distorted into wavering lines, suggesting boats, masts, and dockside structures seen through rippling light.

McMillan’s layered approach transforms a familiar maritime subject into a rhythmic composition, where reflection becomes the primary image rather than the object reflected. The surface feels animated and fluid, evoking movement, sound, and the subtle instability of water. The result is a quietly dynamic work that balances abstraction with place, inviting prolonged viewing and interpretation.