CANNERY ROW TROMPÉ L’OIEL

“Trompé l’oiel” means “eye deceiver.” Objects are painted with close attention to details and shadows to make them appear as if they are real. I know the elements are working when I’m tempted to pick up or brush away something I’ve just painted.

In this painting, I carefully chose and arranged objects to tell the story of Cannery Row in Monterey, California. I include references to the historic sardine fishery, John Steinbeck’s Cannery Row, and his character inspiration, marine biologist Ed Ricketts. I also added a review article comparing theories about why the lucrative sardine fishery suddenly collapsed—was it overfishing, or decadal climate change?