Emotions
2017
oil on canvas
In this series, I created abstract paintings where colors represent feelings or moods. Each color or group of colors are chosen carefully, and are not arbitrary at all; one yellow says 'fear' to me, while another says 'happiness', and yet another can become 'frustration'. I was particularly inspired by the expressive potential of abstraction, finding abstract art lends itself better to internal-based works such as these than figurative subject matter would. For each piece, I begin by sketching thumbnails in color - often using crayon, ink, or colored pencil - to work out aspects of composition and technique, as well as to make color decisions. The process of creating these works is also important as the finished pieces, the manner in which they are painted plays into the feeling of the paintings; the mark-making and focus on brush strokes help to create the emotion being displayed in the pieces.
There is almost infinite potential for this series to continue, as no single painting is the only way to represent that emotion. For example, I can easily imagine any number of pieces depicting 'anxiety' in distinctly different ways. In addition, there are still many emotions I haven't yet painted.
oil on canvas
In this series, I created abstract paintings where colors represent feelings or moods. Each color or group of colors are chosen carefully, and are not arbitrary at all; one yellow says 'fear' to me, while another says 'happiness', and yet another can become 'frustration'. I was particularly inspired by the expressive potential of abstraction, finding abstract art lends itself better to internal-based works such as these than figurative subject matter would. For each piece, I begin by sketching thumbnails in color - often using crayon, ink, or colored pencil - to work out aspects of composition and technique, as well as to make color decisions. The process of creating these works is also important as the finished pieces, the manner in which they are painted plays into the feeling of the paintings; the mark-making and focus on brush strokes help to create the emotion being displayed in the pieces.
There is almost infinite potential for this series to continue, as no single painting is the only way to represent that emotion. For example, I can easily imagine any number of pieces depicting 'anxiety' in distinctly different ways. In addition, there are still many emotions I haven't yet painted.
Anger & Anxiety
No. 1 & 2
2016 12x16" The initial pair of paintings which inspired the more recent continuation of the series. Painted specifically to express anger and fear over current events at the time, the two works show different ways in which I went about the process, and both feel very viscerally angry. The reds are anger, while the yellow represents anxiety. I wanted the paintings to reflect my experiences with these emotions: anger burns inside me like flames, while anxiety and fear are overwhelming,. In the right-hand piece, the yellow mimics the way fire can transfix the mind. |
Frustration
2017
8x10" Orange, yellow, and white: the colors represent active frustration. During the painting of the piece, orange irritation built towards red-anger as the piece seemingly refused to live up to the preconceived perfection I had in mind. The piece took on a life of its own. Rather than the focus being on careful brushstrokes, here it is on the long swipes of the palette knife on the canvas, at times spreading or adding paint, and at others removing it, even scratching through it. The title of the work is quite literal - painting it was frustrating, beyond belief, but in the end this led to a painting I feel is successful because of rather than in spite of this aspect of the process. |
Calm 2017
8x10" Steady, even, gentle strokes of paint in soft light blues create a calm, peaceful feeling in this painting. The purpose was for it to be calming to look at, and in the process of painting it my mood was a match. Nothing was hurried, everything is soft-edged, with no single area of the piece drawing more attention than anywhere else. There's nothing leading the eye anywhere in particular, but throughout in a lazy way, like little waves on placid water. |
Indecision 1 & 2
(or, Uncertainty 1 & 2)
2017 8x10" Uncertainty/indecision is in the constantly-changing directions of the paint or brushstrokes, and the many different colors used. These choices were made deliberately to show the feeling of being unsure, changing one's mind frequently, and the feeling of being indecisive. |
Anxiety
2017
8x10" These bright, eye-watering patches of lemon yellow against white canvas capture a feeling of anxiety. In general, yellow represents happiness, and the sunnier hues do for me as well. But subjectively, this specific, acidic hue calls to mind a nervous, agitated energy that is familiar to me. |
Worry
Depression
2017
(two photos of the same piece) 8x10" Dark, deep shades of red and blue, both blended and distinct, trick the eye into seeing the painting as completely black at first - but on a closer examination in varying light, one can see the true colors of this piece. The dark, encompassing void-like effect of this piece encapsulates how depression feels for me. A pit of nothing-like apathy or negativity I fall into, that eats up the brightness and color in the world and in my head. |