An artist who approaches his work with a pure, almost childlike desire for nature to express itself. He hopes the sea will paint its own portrait, a non-representational approach that puts him at odds with the society around him. He is driven by a deep, spiritual connection to his craft, treating his artistic process as a wordless prayer rather than a means of production.

The inhabitants of the overcrowded structures bordering the sea. They view art strictly as a utilitarian product, demanding that paintings be recognizable and manageable. They are deeply uncomfortable with the infinite, uncontrollable elements of nature, enforcing strict conformity upon those who challenge their orderly worldview.

A vast, uncontainable force of nature that sits at the border of human society. It represents the infinite reality that refuses to be captured or reduced by traditional art. The painter treats it with deep reverence, hoping it will imprint its true essence onto his canvas without human interference.

The spouse of the painter. She becomes his new subject when the building dwellers demand he paint something smaller and more manageable than the ocean. In his portrait of her, she appears surprisingly large, expressing a truth that defies the expectations of the local society.

A specific subset of the building dwellers who produce easily digestible, conventional art. They maintain the societal status quo by providing reassuring, representational images to the public. They view the painter's unconventional methods with malicious mirth, acting as enforcers of artistic tradition.