The title The Long Return speaks to the instinctive journey of returning to familiar places—the routes, coastlines, and waters that have been travelled by generations before us. For me, it reflects the enduring connection between the orcas and the West Coast landscape they call home.
The Long Return is a one-of-a-kind original artwork painted directly onto naturally weathered driftwood. A pod of orcas travels together beneath a dramatic copper-coloured evening sky, their dark forms moving across the glowing surface while a rugged forested shoreline rises behind them.
There is something powerful about the feeling of movement in this piece. The orcas are not alone; they travel together, following a rhythm and a route that feels instinctive and timeless. The warm light of the sky creates a moment of stillness around them, while the rugged landscape reminds us of the wildness that continues to exist along the coast.
I love allowing the natural character of the driftwood to remain visible beneath and around the painting—the grain, weathered edges, irregular contours, and variations in the surface become part of the artwork itself. No two pieces of driftwood carry the same history, which makes each original completely unique.
Once finished with a clear resin layer, the tactile surface transforms into a smooth, polished plane, creating a beautiful contrast between the organic character of the weathered wood and the crisp, glass-like finish of the artwork. The resin enhances the depth and luminosity of the warm evening colours while preserving the character of the natural wood beneath.
Displayed on handcrafted copper feet, The Long Return is designed to be experienced as both a painting and a piece of the West Coast itself—a meeting of natural material, landscape, and the enduring presence of the orcas.
The driftwood has a beautifully irregular, dimensional profile, with natural variations in thickness and contour. Its weathered edges and organic shape are part of what makes this piece completely unique.
Dimensions: 14" L × 7.25" H
Artwork: Original, hand-painted driftwood
Subject: Orca pod, coastal landscape and evening sky
Finish: Clear resin
Base: Handcrafted copper feet
Signed by: Mara Szyp
One-of-a-kind original
The title The Long Return speaks to the instinctive journey of returning to familiar places—the routes, coastlines, and waters that have been travelled by generations before us. For me, it reflects the enduring connection between the orcas and the West Coast landscape they call home.
The Long Return is a one-of-a-kind original artwork painted directly onto naturally weathered driftwood. A pod of orcas travels together beneath a dramatic copper-coloured evening sky, their dark forms moving across the glowing surface while a rugged forested shoreline rises behind them.
There is something powerful about the feeling of movement in this piece. The orcas are not alone; they travel together, following a rhythm and a route that feels instinctive and timeless. The warm light of the sky creates a moment of stillness around them, while the rugged landscape reminds us of the wildness that continues to exist along the coast.
I love allowing the natural character of the driftwood to remain visible beneath and around the painting—the grain, weathered edges, irregular contours, and variations in the surface become part of the artwork itself. No two pieces of driftwood carry the same history, which makes each original completely unique.
Once finished with a clear resin layer, the tactile surface transforms into a smooth, polished plane, creating a beautiful contrast between the organic character of the weathered wood and the crisp, glass-like finish of the artwork. The resin enhances the depth and luminosity of the warm evening colours while preserving the character of the natural wood beneath.
Displayed on handcrafted copper feet, The Long Return is designed to be experienced as both a painting and a piece of the West Coast itself—a meeting of natural material, landscape, and the enduring presence of the orcas.
The driftwood has a beautifully irregular, dimensional profile, with natural variations in thickness and contour. Its weathered edges and organic shape are part of what makes this piece completely unique.
Dimensions: 14" L × 7.25" H
Artwork: Original, hand-painted driftwood
Subject: Orca pod, coastal landscape and evening sky
Finish: Clear resin
Base: Handcrafted copper feet
Signed by: Mara Szyp
One-of-a-kind original
