This painting is a big deal to me.
Sometimes I am an artist genius and magic just flies out of my brush. But other days the process is more challenging. This piece had moments of both.
This year I set a goal to paint on larger surfaces and try to expand my scale. Sometimes ideas don't read as well on a big canvas. And it is a new skill set to get them to translate well. I was up for it.
Then pandemic. I compartmentalized the death and destruction aspects and decided to embrace the solitude like an artists’ retreat. I am acutely aware of my privilege that allows me to do this.
My paintings start by activating the canvas which is artists’ speak for scribbling. Marks of charcoal and pen and my fancy crayons, splashes of colors, shapes and lines. My scribbles are similar to asemic writing: it is familiar like a word but not quite legible. Sometimes I write real words. Mostly I write intentions, a wish for the world as if it is the foundation of the painting and could come true once out in public.
This one started with the word PATIENCE in giant letters scrawled across the 8 panels. The goal isn’t to save the word. It is almost like a warm up exercise. For me it is a way to create a composition since my work is abstract. It is a way to break up the space. The words or hints of them can show through.
In this case I got the 8 panels activated and colorful paint applied. Then I started to admire the graffitie-sque quality of the giant word. I got a few ideas for other pieces and moved on to them. I was combining a lot of ways of working and being guided by many muses. This is a good day in the studio. In other aspects of life it isn’t so prudent to start another project before one is finished with the first but as an artist is what we thrive on. The ideas are flowing and the skills will help achieve an outcome. Eventually.
This stalled for a while. Despite many attempts to see where to go next, the way was not clear. Then I had an opportunity to have a show at a Unitarian Universalist space. It was the spark that brought this to reality. I wanted glowing sections of light contrasted by jewel tones. If imagery appeared, I let them happen. I started to see owls and challices and flames, hats from the Women's March and people gathering and singing. I don’t exactly plan these; it's when the intuition takes over and the story emerges. I knew it would be a collection of my styles and skills and feelings.
The title is Gathering In which is a UU term about reuniting and homecoming. For me it feels like embracing, acknowledging, and connecting. I hope it sparks joy. Click here to learn more and purchase.