The Sinking of America
Every painting in Chronicle of an Unquiet Age documents the defining events, people, and issues that shaped its moment in history. Created in real time as events unfolded, each work serves as both an original oil painting and a historical record, reflecting the belief that the news of today is the history of tomorrow.
TRTA-2021-033 | December 2021 | Oil on Canvas | 34" x 26"
This work in The Next Chapter series captures the growing fears of economic decline, inflation, supply shortages, and weakening public confidence that shaped late 2021. The Sinking of America painting uses maritime imagery as a metaphor for a nation perceived by many as drifting into deeper trouble.
A distressed ship, moves across the composition like an unfolding emergency, reflecting concerns over rising prices, border pressures, energy costs, and leadership uncertainty. The imagery suggests a country struggling to stay afloat amid multiple converging challenges. Inflation has reached a 30 year high with "Food Insecurity" facing America for the first time. Food supplies are low, gas prices are increasing. People are now calling the Biden Administration the "Brandon Administration" as they are confused and frustrated that everything has gone wrong in just a few months under Biden's leadership. VP Kamala Harris has a 28% approval rating with a vote of "No Confidence." And thank you to Kelli Stavast from NBC for the wonderful gift of "Let's Go Brandon." Republicans Glen Youngkin and Winsome Sears are elected Governor and Lt. Governor of Virginia. Kyle Rittenhouse is found NOT GUILTY on all counts. Darrell Brooks mowed down 70 people at a Christmas Parade killing six in Waukesha, Wisconsin. America seems to be sinking fast and the Democrat Party is now referred to as the "Disaster Party. " Biden goes to Glascow, Scotland for the Climate Summit and falls asleep giving a whole new meaning to "Sleepy Joe." Biden visits the Pope in Rome and has a potty emergency resulting in memes across social media.
The work preserves the atmosphere of frustration, anxiety, and disbelief that marked the closing months of 2021. This painting records a moment when many Americans questioned whether the nation was navigating crisis—or taking on water.
