Abstracts 2017-2019

When I first began painting, I craved the challenge to recreate what I was seeing. The puzzle of getting the proportions, values, and temperatures just right was my reason for creating. In fact, if I did not have a visual reference to work from I felt totally lost. As my understanding of structure and color grew, it became easier to creatively modify, but eventually I grew tired of painting anything specific. I began yearning to create without any inhibitions, and without any image to paint from at all. I just wanted to play with paint and let my mind flow.

In with this, I knew these had to be non-objective, intuitive works—an immense challenge for myself. I tend to be an obsessive planner and not having a plan when approaching the canvas was intimidating. This process has been several years in the making, but the experience has been humbling. There have many failed attempts and frustrations as I continued to paint layers upon layers, feeling like I’m doing something different but the same every session. I have learned to give myself grace and to appreciate this period of growth. I’ve found comfort in not knowing what is next.

Released at OH Gallery May 2019