Aiiric Painting

The Spaces Between series is a new body of work begun while at Orquevaux, France. My work tells a story. It is inspired by the elusive nature of the horizon- the idea that there is something on the horizon, perhaps blurred, that is difficult to identify. In this series I am striving to capture the feeling of the unknown just beyond the horizon line, or perhaps just coming into view. The images are based on remembrances and memories of past events. Rather than accurately tell the story, I strive to recognize that memory is fallible, and embrace the organic nature of the way that memories evolve and live within us. The pieces are created using oil paint on canvas or oil stick on archival paper. I utilize oil paint or stick because the organic feel and texture lends itself to the ephemeral nature of the work. My work rejects the modern and the digital. I use my fingers to draw, and drag, and press pigments into awkward shapes and new colors. Finally, I use fire to coalesce the work by working a blowtorch over the surface. This creates a somewhat opaque surface and blurs the memories—melding it into a past, present and future story. My intention with this body of work is to transport the viewer into a contemplative space. The work is a study of emptiness, but also emptiness filled with the ticking of time, past and present and future moving at different speeds. My goal is that the viewer feels connected to something spiritual, something bigger than themselves, and are inspired to be open to what is unknown. This body of work is about the human experience, and what it means to be a person.