This stunning otter by Emanuel Ramirez has such an alert, engaging presence. Standing upright on its hind legs, its long tail stretched out behind it, and its front paws kept close to its chest, thus capturing the curious attitude that is one of the reasons why otters are so appealing. The wide blue eyes and the slightly raised head give the animal an inquisitive appearance, as if it has just spotted something beyond us.
Emanuel's painting stands out particularly in this instance. Across the curved surface, interlocking cubes in turquoise, violet, blue, pink and green produce a very noticeable illusion of depth. Spirals and geometric borders extend along the sides and back, and the turquoise shoulders together with the lavender paws allow the design room to spread out. The colors change beautifully from the cool greens and blues to the warmer pinks and purples, giving the surface a nearly luminous appearance.
What I particularly appreciate is how the geometric painting conforms to the carving's shape. Getting this effect is far more difficult than it appears. The interlocking cubes have to be carefully adjusted as they move around the otter’s curved belly and back in order that their proportions still look convincing on a curved surface. Each cube is also shaded individually, with lighter and darker facets giving the impression of depth and volume. The spirals, the borders, and the color changes must remain balanced as the form tapers towards the shoulders and the tail. It takes an extremely steady hand, a good sense of proportion, and real control of color to make the intricate painting seem so easy.
Emmanuel at his best, this is a splendid combination of Op Art and Oaxacan woodcarving, with optical illusion, color, and the hand-carved form all coming together beautifully.
