Long Beach Whale Mural and the Critics

Recently I had the opportunity to view Mr. Wyland’s work at the Long Beach Arena. Nearby were some self-appointed art critics who said all manner of negative things about your abilities, Mr. Wyland, which I didn’t contest. Everyone has a right to their opinion.

They said your gray whales looked more like manatees, and that it should be called the “Manatee Mural,” but I held my tongue. When they said every whale has its tail fluke in the same position, I bit my tongue. When they said that, viewed from a distance, it looks like a little kid took his rubber stamp set to the building, I nearly swallowed my tongue. When they compared your bright green kelp to the plastic aquarium variety, I just stood by silently. They whined that your Killer Whales were all identically marked, that the billfish is almost as big and that the Garibaldi are “fluorescent Chernobyl orange.” Even this I let pass without objecting.

When they attacked your ability as a painter, Mr. Wyland, I finally leaped to your defense. They said you weren’t even as talented as a high school artist. I stuck up for you. I said you were.

ALAN L. FARINA

Long Beach