Even rogues must follow directions and their own code to achieve success. Pirates such as these salty men would have measured such by the contents of their purse, stashed wealth and of course, the quality and size of their ships. No fewer than 16 pirates are depicted, most listening with attention to the tale being spun by one of their members mid-deck. With his audience arrayed opposite him, it has the feeling of a tale recanted of a epic battle moment and a miraculous escape or fate for one of their own. One mate listens close-by while working the rig, while others are seated beyond within, a tri-corner hat-wearing pirate in a long coat stands at a quarter-deck railgun, directing a sailor manning the wheel. Two others are up the next deck, scouting with a telescope.
Strong colors with interesting specific details reside throughout McCorkmick's painting. A sky-blue slice of brilliance holds the upper corner with clouds bracketing, and shadows play over the men and their ship. The geometric harmony of the parallel deck planks makes a nice uniform contrast to the somewhat loose and chaotic outfits of the pirates, each with his chosen unique head-covering. Makes a viewer wish paintings could talk, to be brought into the action and story. McCormick blends the romantic nature with realistic touches to make his paintings highly and widely collected.
