Blue Moons

Blue Moons is a painting created by Ray M. Swartz. Its deep and mysterious colors combine together to make a hidden meaning that must be analyzed and looked into deeper. Looking at the picture, the viewer’s eyes automatically go to the muscular white horse with the long haired blond lady lying aimlessly on its back. Staring more closely, the horse is quickly identified as a unicorn. According to Marianna Mayer, “The unicorn is the only fabulous beast that does not seem to have been conceived out of human fears. In even the earliest references he is fierce yet good, selfless yet solitary, but always mysteriously beautiful. He could be captured only by unfair means, and his single horn was said to neutralize poison." This puts a new twist on the picture because the audience quickly identifies that there is no possible way that this is a reality; it must be a fantasy. The long haired blonde lady is stretched carelessly across the unicorn’s neck. She appears to be completely relaxed and confident she is in the correct place. Her hand is draping onto the shoulder of the unicorn. The two blue moons in the far right corner are drifting in the sky of darkness. The overlapping twins seem to be holding onto one another.

Rhetorically analyzing this piece of art, there are numerous different answers to the questions floating in our minds. Compare and contrast, illustration, and irony are all used to make this picture come to life. The fact that the unicorn is from a fantasy and the woman is from reality is very enticing. Many different examples of ethos and logos are apparent in this oil painting.

This painting is so unique because the author uses many different rhetorical strategies to make his point come across. The first he uses is compare and contrast. The point of the painting is to make the connection between reality and fairy tales. It is very obvious that a human girl and a unicorn are from two completely different worlds. This use of pathos is trying to inform the audience that it is indeed possible for two different worlds. The author is comparing the fairy tale land of unicorns to the real world in which we live. The way that the lady is carelessly lying on the unicorn, shows that we could comfortably live together. We do not need to be fearful of one another.

The second type of rhetorical analysis is illustration. Putting another moon next to the moon that we believe is already there is a clever way of showing that there could be another life out there that we want to strive to someday meet. Putting the moons in an overlapping state shows that we are connected in some way. We are not overtaking the other one, so harmony could be accessible. One moon is much smaller than the other one. This could mean that the belief is much different between fantasy and reality. The smaller moon is the fantasy world. Not many people have a strong belief that there is another world out there. On the other hand, the bigger moon is taken as reality. Everyone has a belief that there is reality because they are living it.

Irony is also used in this painting. The artist was trying to use something opposite to get his point across. Putting a unicorn instead of a horse makes the viewer realize that the fantasy world and reality could indeed someday be connected. If a real horse was used, no one would think twice about the meaning behind the painting. However, allowing a human female to be so close and comfortable with a creature that we know isn’t even real, it gives us a sense of comfort and confidence that there is a possibility that we will be able to connect with a different life someday.

In this painting, the unicorn and second moon are combined to show that a fantasy world and the human world are closer than we initially thought. The blonde lady in the picture is clinging onto the unicorn very tightly, showing that another world would not be a scary place to be. Having another place to be and thinking there is some other world out there is a major possibility.

Seeing the other moon in the background is a way to show that the second world is available for the taking. Possibly, they are on another planet, where two moons can be seen. This would explain the reasoning for the unicorn to be real. The lady in the picture is relaxed and calm. This gives the illusion that there is something better for the taking. Her hand is not tense; it simply dangles on the upper leg of the white giant. Being relaxed and calm is a feeling that everyone strives to gain. It is better to be in a place of comfort rather than in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the real world. Seeing the beautiful view of the moon in the background is a way of showing the viewers that it is taking place in another place.

Ryan M. Swartz is an amazing artist that has painting for over forty-three years. He discovered his gift while he was very young. He specializes in pencil portraits and oil paintings. Swartz loves creating art work that is unique and catches the viewer’s interest. He enjoys painting animals, especially dogs.

This painting is a unique one that has made many heads turn. It is a beautiful piece of work that will be very popular for years to come. The meaning behind it is dark and mysterious. This is one of the reasons why so many people have traveled to see it. Is the meaning behind it obvious or not? Do people really believe that there is another world out there that we are all striving to become a part of? Is it possibly your after life, or is it where you are trying to go while alive? These are the many questions that are asked while looking into this painting. The only way to know for sure is to analyze it yourself, and make your own decision.