During my art education, I learned to avoid true black paint as it dulls and muddies paintings. Black-like paint, when created from a variety of colors, is expressive and adds depth.
I love to challenge myself. So, it was time to embrace black!
Music has always been important to my work. In recent years, I have started producing theatre-style music concerts in my art studio. I hired Jesse Waldman to play at my studio around the time of this series. The first painting of this group of paintings was inspired by Jesse’s music with a focus on the song Keep a Light on in the Dark. His song speaks to gratitude for life and how we can too easily forget to appreciate the simple things. Jesse gives voice to those who are marginalized and have health issues, including addictions. He shines a light on how appreciation, authenticity, courage, kindness can help one stay afloat in challenging times. It was such a treat to have him play for us!
Hamas attacks Israel. Israel retaliates. I start drawing gestural forms of my easel, thinking if a leg was taken away, would it fall? Of course it would. It tears me apart to see the destruction, suffering and loss of life. My hope is for balance in this region. My work often speaks to unity through the lens of embracing multitudes. My work, Remind Me to Remember, is abstract expressionist work with large brush strokes in black, iridescent blue, a variety of light colors. Circles point to hope, universality and joy. These uplifting shapes often find their way into my work.
In the end, I couldn’t resist making my black paint more expressive by mixing in Payne’s Gray. Payne’s Gray is a beautiful black often made from three blues, black and burnt sienna.
Here’s a few works from this series and a few in-progress shots.
Keep a Light On