This painting began with a craving for forest-colored greenery. Since moving to the desert, I’ve found myself regularly longing for lush plants, bodies of water, and that rich, deep range of color.
More and more, I’m realizing that my paintings reflect these elements as a way of balancing that desire. They help bring into my environment what I miss and need most.
Beyond the life-sustaining qualities of plants and water, and the feeling of home they carry for me, there’s something about the energy of blue and green that I find irresistible. Once I placed the fluid green paint on the canvas, it became clear that a woman was present within it.
I tried exploring other directions for the piece, but her presence was unmistakable. I had little choice but to give her form.
As I developed the figure, it felt like she was intuitively leading, bringing forth a powerful sense of change and flow. She seemed to be doing it without hesitation, without questioning, and without even looking. Water felt like the natural element to add.
It seemed to me that she had a soothing, unifying influence on the water, as if she were calming its raging energy and guiding it to move with her intention. So the water was the next part to shift.
Then it felt as though she represented growth and life, so I began to adorn her figure with plant-like forms growing throughout her being.
After this, it felt important to emphasize that she held flawless trust and faith in all that was unfolding. To represent this, her eyes were covered. I also felt the piece needed to radiate warmth, so I created the background to reflect that feeling.
After completing this step, she felt rooted in the elements of earth, yet still carried a sense of openness and spirituality. It felt like she was ready to share her message.
That final feeling is how I decide when a painting is complete. I’ve found that the messages within a painting vary for each viewer, and often shift over time. It’s true that I painted her, but with works like this, the process feels more like the painting creates itself. I just pay attention.
While she continues to offer me inspiration, the original and prints are available for anyone who feels they would benefit from her presence. For more on purchasing options, visit here.
