Jack Balas, 2016; MILE SWIM (OWASIPPE) (#1334); watercolor, ink, acrylic and oil on 2 paper panels, 30" x 45" overall
TEXT:
Until that summer at scout camp (Owasippe) I'd never seen naked
naked boys before, when two of the lifeguards jumped bare-assed
into the pool one night, swam some laps and slithered out like
fish, glistening under floodlights and strolling the deck, hands
on hips. Everything changed after that -- I was 11 or 12 and I
stopped missing home. All of a sudden catching fish was fun, as
was coaching my shadow under an isolated streetlight at night
to maybe swagger, hands on hips. And of course, needless to say,
right away I signed up for the MILE SWIM.
(Along top on the long tent): Success was, however, imminent.
(Torsos of the lifeguards): BRUSH, STROKE