Reflections of Strength: Dualities in the Sea of Power

Above, I mirrored the image with the  USS Independence (LCS-2) , another littoral combat ship, upside down. This choice was intentional—reflecting the  duality of naval power. The Independence, mirrored like a reflection on water, is a symbol of the Navy's past and present converging. It’s almost as if the sea itself is holding up the ships, but it’s also threatening to swallow them, just as the Navy must constantly balance on the edge of control in an unpredictable world. The dual images of the ships suggest that for every visible aspect of power, there’s an unseen counterpart—something lurking beneath the surface.  

The  U.S. Navy Seal , placed in the upper right, grounds the entire scene in tradition. I wanted to juxtapose the old and new here, with the seal representing the core values of the Navy—honor, courage, and commitment—while the modern ships below charge forward into an uncertain future. This seal is a reminder that, no matter how much technology advances, the foundational principles of the Navy remain unchanged. It also serves as a beacon of stability in the swirling chaos of the sea.  

The color palette is dominated by  green and red hues , and each color carries significant meaning.  Green , the color of life and nature, represents the Navy's constant adaptation and growth. Just like the sea, the Navy is ever-changing, always evolving to meet new challenges. But there’s also a sense of danger in the green—much like the unpredictability of nature, the Navy must be prepared for the unexpected.  Red , on the other hand, symbolizes danger and urgency. The red hue washes over the ships, suggesting that even in moments of calm, the possibility of conflict is always present. It reminds me of the stakes involved in naval missions—the ships look powerful, but they are constantly moving through potentially hostile waters.  

In the background, the  abstract textures of water and sky blend together, symbolizing the constant motion of the world that the Navy must navigate. These textures create an emotional tension, a feeling of being caught between the beauty and terror of the natural world. The sea, with its massive, sweeping waves, represents both opportunity and danger. The ships are caught in it, not fighting against it, but moving through it with purpose.  

The  angular geometric overlays you see across the image were added to suggest the precision and sharpness of naval strategy. These ships don’t just move through water—they slice through it, every action calculated, every movement intentional. The hard edges of the shapes mirror the hard edges of the ships themselves, evoking a sense of order amidst the chaos of the sea.  

The  reflection of the ships , especially the USS Independence, creates a sense of surrealism. It’s almost as if the ship exists in two worlds: the physical and the mirrored, the visible and the unseen. This reflective quality speaks to the dual nature of naval missions—what is visible on the surface is often just a fraction of the full picture. The reflection adds an emotional depth to the piece, reminding us that what we see is often just a glimpse of the larger forces at play.  

Emotionally, this piece took me on a journey as I worked on it. There’s a tension between the power of the ships and the wildness of the sea that felt very personal. The  waves , rising and falling, remind me of the unpredictable nature of life—how we can feel in control one moment and then be tossed about the next. The  ships , cutting through the water, represent resilience. Even in the face of uncertainty, they move forward. There’s a lesson there about perseverance, about holding steady even when the world around you is chaotic.  

This artwork, for me, is about the Navy’s ability to navigate through the most difficult circumstances. It’s about finding balance between power and vulnerability, between tradition and innovation, and between the visible and the unseen. The  green and  red speak to both the life-giving and dangerous aspects of the sea, while the  reflection of the ships adds an emotional layer of uncertainty and depth.  

In personal reflection, this piece resonates with my own feelings of navigating life's challenges. Just as the ships in the image move through tumultuous waters, I often feel like I’m balancing between forces I can control and those I cannot. The  mirrored ship represents the unknown—the part of life that is hidden, that we can only guess at. But the  Navy Seal and the  sharp angles of the ships remind me that there is always structure, always something to hold onto, even in the most uncertain times.  

In the end, this image is not just about the ships or the sea—it’s about the dualities we all face, the balance we must strike between power and vulnerability, between control and surrender. The Navy, in many ways, embodies that balance, always ready, always prepared to move through whatever the future may hold.