This painting is a response to the three Wednesdays in a row, the first of which was the insurrection of the Capitol on January 6th. The bottom third of the painting is the instability and pain of the insurrection. The middle third is the question that starting the impeachment asks: will we hold D.T. responsible for his actions? The top third is the hope which came from the inauguration of our new president, Biden. This all takes place within the covid pandemic.
Marriage
Marriage is an unplanned process painting with two abstract volcanos spewing thoughts, words and actions. These clouds of thoughts, words and actions are sometimes shared and sometimes kept separate. They form the marriage.
Circulatory Valentine
Circulatory Valentine is an unplanned abstract process painting. The movement within the painting suggests the circulatory system with the heart at its center. This was painted on Valentine’s Day 2020. In the year of Covid, Valentine’s Day was the beginning of the suspicion that things were changing and that hearts would be sundered.
π Day
π Day is a celebration of national “π Day” which includes a slice of lemon pie and screaming celery (among others) in abstract form. The jarring colors expose the jarring feelings I experienced during this angst-ridden time.
In Search of YinMn
In Search of YinMn is my search to recreate YinMn blue (yttrium, indium and manganese) also known as Oregon Blue. It is a color newly discovered in a lab at Oregon State University in 2009. This chemical makes a remarkable blue hue, which is not yet out in commercial paints. I did my color-mixing to match YinMn and give it some complementary and supplementary colors. This abstract painting shows the joy I felt in searching for YinMn.
Behold the Essential Triangularity!
Behold the Essential Triangularity is a response to the question: “How do triangles re-shape the world around them?” The left of the painting shows the natural world which shades from a lily pond into a room looking through a window. It depicts our human need to transform nature into something more mathematically perfect.
Under the Hill
Under the Hill is an unplanned process painting. At the top right of the painting is a small tree-filled hill. Underneath, everything else is happening. Various abstract creatures and vessels grow into their own connections. The background of the under-landscape is an ombre of greens shading to yellow. This world is a world with its own rules.
The Dragon King’s Daughter
The Dragon King’s Daughter is a character from Buddhist legend. She is a juvenile. She is part animal, dragon. And she is a female. For these three reasons she was told she could not achieve enlightenment in this lifetime. She took this as a direct challenge and achieved enlightenment right then in front of her skeptics. Here she is floating on the waves of the sea and chanting “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo” to show us that We too, can achieve enlightenment just as we are.
Micha-el
Micha-el is an illustration of the archangel Michael who is smashing the church’s stained glass window. He is expressing his anger, which is seen only in the action because his face is angelic and unseen.
Magic Carpet Ride
Magic Carpet Ride is a juxtaposition of contrasting colors and tiny, busy surface filigree. This is a completely unplanned process painting inspired by the shining surfaces of an unknown garden as seen from the ride atop the carpet flying above.