Michelle McCoy

artworks

Whence Moby Dick

About the work: I became fascinated with the novel Moby Dick as an adult. How could a rare book librarian not be enchanted with the bibliography of the whale? All of these timeless themes of adventure, conquest, revenge, greed, sorrow, and humans versus nature (I could go on) captured in pursuit of a trade that supplied oil to light homes and bones to corset women’s bodies into sleek forms that likely couldn’t swim far when worn. My goal is not to illustrate the text. That was already done remarkably well by Rockwell Kent. Instead, my approach is to ponder the themes as they reside in the vague and hazy space of the memory of reading.

Most prints are editions of 25.

Series: Whence Moby Dick

Sirens, 12″ x 18,” etching and aquatint, 2019

Series: Whence Moby Dick

White Whale, 18″ x 12,” etching and aquatint printed a la poupee, 2015

Series: Whence Moby Dick

Whaling Widows, 18″ x 12,” etching and aquatint, 2017

Series: Whence Moby Dick

Ambition’s Nest, 18″ x 12,” etching and aquatint, 2015

Series: Whence Moby Dick

That She Blows, 18″ x 12,” etching and aquatint with chine collie, 2016

Series: Whence Moby Dick

Faith Blinded, 18″ x 12,” etching and aquatint printed a la poupee, 2018

Series: Whence Moby Dick

Sans Corset, 18″ x 24,” 2-color etching, aquatint and soft ground, 2017

Series: Whence Moby Dick

Masthead no. 2, 9″ x 6,” etching and aquatint, 2017

Series: Whence Moby Dick

Uncharted Territory, 12″ x 18,” etching and aquatint, 2014

Series: Whence Moby Dick

Butcher, Baker, Candlestick Maker, 9″ x 12,” etching and aquatint, 2017

Series: Whence Moby Dick

A Chorus Line, 12″ x 18,” etching and aquatint printed a la poupee, 2015

Series: Whence Moby Dick

Fathomable, 8″ dia., etching and aquatint, 2014

Series: Whence Moby Dick

Beguiled, 18″ x 12,” etching and aquatint, printed a la poupee, 2014

Series: Whence Moby Dick

Overboard, 4″ x 6,” etching and aquatint printed a la poupee, 2015