The Gondola Dock is a tribute to Venice’s quieter moments, the stories behind travelers who stand at the edge of canals, waiting to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime gondola ride. Rather than focusing on crowded piazzas or well-known monuments, I was drawn to the simple act of stepping into a gondola, wondering about each person’s origin and the stories they would bring home.
Painted after an immersive six-day exploration of Venice, this piece channels the same loose, impressionistic energy artists used to portray the city over 150 years ago. My process began with a colorful abstract underpainting that pushes through the figures and water reflections. Working with a rubber scraper, I created expressive layers that let the background breathe into the scene, adding mystery and motion. Drips, splatters, and polka dots across the surface invite viewers to step closer, discovering new elements each time. The Gondola Dock is more than a cityscape. It is a narrative about global travel, fleeting encounters, and the universal wonder found in everyday moments abroad.
