woodcuts, Nantucket images
The Lynx is a recreation of a specific "Privateer" ship that sailed during the American Revolutionary War. It is an educational vessel that docks in Nantucket harbor during the summer. I've been on it a few times, and it really feeds my love of old sailing ships and the writings of Herman Melville. Some of the sailors dress the part which adds to the fun of being aboard the ship.
I took a few photos of this scene as used them as references for the piece. I was struck with the microcosm of life aboard ship that should echo life on land- cooperation, respect for nature, and without pulling their weight, life abord ship would be very unpleasant for the sailors.
I also noticed the political ramifications of the image as all the sailors are pulling to the left. While that's simply a result of the reversal process of printmaking, I thought it was pretty cool- providence maybe, fate?