Santiago and the Marlin #2 – Literary Henna Watercolor by Karen Strum

Santiago and the Marlin #2 is the second piece in an open edition literary henna art series inspired by Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea. Rendered in my signature henna watercolor style, the piece captures the quiet struggle between fisherman and marlin—a meditation on endurance, fate, and the dignity of perseverance.

The marlin is decorated with intricate henna-inspired patterns, while flowing fishing lines dotted in hand-applied white paint symbolize the invisible connection between effort and outcome. Printed with archival giclee methods on Cold Press Fine Art Paper—chosen for its rich texture similar to true watercolor paper—each piece is hand-embellished with raised black and white dimensional paint for a tactile, henna-like effect.

Published in 1952, The Old Man and the Sea became one of Hemingway’s most celebrated works. Its stripped-down style sparked debate among critics, but the novel endures as a philosophical classic exploring resilience, suffering, and personal meaning through struggle.

Details

• Santiago and the Marlin #2 — second piece in an ongoing series
• 5x7 giclee print on Cold Press Fine Art Paper
• Textured surface similar to traditional watercolor paper
• Double matted to fit a standard 8x10 frame
• Foam-mounted and packaged in a protective art sleeve
• Hand-embellished with raised dimensional paint
• Archival pigment inks designed for long-lasting color
• Artwork information included on back

Stored in a climate-controlled space in Lakeland. A striking piece for collectors of literary art, philosophy-inspired artwork, and Hemingway enthusiasts.