Gouache on paper. 2020
Environment is a highly detailed piece featuring countless shades of colors. When I was working on it I was thinking about macro landscapes and how they are constantly being re-formed as time progresses. It is not a painting of a still moment in time, but rather many moments being portrayed in a non-linear narrative. The natural light from the window I work next to will often cast shadows on my paper. A great deal of the composition of this piece was formed from tracing these shadows and then retracing them as they would move across the paper throughout the day.
I have been extremely lucky in my circumstances relating to the coronavirus. Of course, the mass suffering and strife of the world has caused me much concern and stress, but I would be lying if I said that my individual life has been impacted in a greatly negative way. My life has certainly changed though. I find without social obligations, fewer work obligations and increased responsibilities when it comes to the care of my family has me at home more than ever. My studio is located in my home so I have inevitably increased the amount of time I spend painting. It is a lesson in being careful of what you wish for-- I have always wished to spend more time in my studio, but this scenario is not what I had in mind. I feel guilt for having faired so well through such a terrible year, but I also feel a responsibility to take advantage of this one tiny gift of time that the quarantine has provided me. Furthermore, my partner and I have a three year old who has also been spending much more time at home. Our increased collaborative art projects and her regular critiques of my work are always insightful and unique experiences that have helped me to freshen my approach to painting.