Tidbury spends hours exploring the surfaces of small boats, seeking out the naturally occurring patterns formed by time and the elements. In Eleanor, these close-up captures reveal shapes that suggest shorelines or horizons, blurring the line between industrial documentation and abstract expression. The work relies on the artist’s eye for light and color to find harmony in the chaotic wear of a hull, presenting a squared composition that feels both intimate and expansive.

While the image appears to be built from layers of soft pastel or thick paint, it is entirely photographic. By printing the work using state-of-the-art Giclée techniques on archival paper, Tidbury emphasizes the grain and grit of the original surface. The final framed piece invites the viewer to explore the visual depth of the paper, bridging the gap between a captured moment and a handcrafted object through a sophisticated understanding of reproduction.