Anatomy of a painting: Unbound
A needed feeling of relief
I am starting this off with a quick peek at the house and the new spot for “Unbound” to hang out in our place until it finds a forever home. It’s good for me to see my work in use. It’s freezing in New England, but the sunshine that streams into our living room keeps my spirits up.
First, I wanted to check in with you and drop some thoughts about painting and the creative process into your inbox. But first, how are you doing? Naturally, there is a lot of discussion online about how to protect your emotional health right now and yet to make sure your head is not in the sand. I get it! It has been challenging. I have been thinking a lot about what I can contribute without appearing as if I am living on my insular art and studio island. One of the things I am going to commit to doing is offering you some fresh links to articles and resources at the end of every article: some fun, some of what I am keeping up with. I tend to read news (as much as I can take), travel, art, and fashion. You can click on them or not. It is totally up to you.
Since, I have already promised to bring beauty into your life, so let's begin!
This is a follow-up piece to the series that I set out to paint, where I was working through some ideas about incorporating the concept of SPACE into my work.
As I embarked on this series, I was particularly leaning into the notion of beauty and chaos coexisting. Beginning with some watercolors that you can see in my previous article, I then jumped into painting on canvas with these two works. I painted the smaller one and wanted to take the idea into something more significant.
"Come Away with Me" 18 x 24 was the first act.
"Paradiso" (Paradise) was the next offering, taking the first painting and enlarging it and, as a result, giving the space more nuances.
I sized these ideas up and jotted more notes. Does space reflect the earth or sky? Does it need to? Was the plant life waking up, breaking loose from a sleep state? (I love this question.)
The following piece is where I found answers for myself on a personal level. It ended up being very different than the inspiration board that I put together at the start of the new year.
This work, below, which is 72 x 66in, titled "Unbound," offered such satisfaction while I was creating it that I knew I had landed somewhere vital for myself.
It felt pulsing, vibrant, and alive. While I had the intention of dialing back the color as seen on my inspiration boards, this painting got a hold of me, and I rode the wave.
I needed this. It was and is pulling me into something that feels like freedom. Remember that old public service message, "This is your brain. This is your brain on drugs." (You may have to be old to remember that one.)
I stepped back and thought, “This is my brain on beauty.” It’s complicated, on the wild side. It also proves that the sumptuousness of the paint is something I could never stray from.
This magnified natural worldview is my way of expressing creation. Its sensuality can lean toward sexuality without using the figure.
The recognizable plant forms suggest resilience balanced against fragility. It is a continuous thread that I keep pulling on.
When the thread feels familiar and new at the same time, you feel grounded in your work.
I have another painting on the wall ready for its debut, and I am hoping to gesso more canvas today if I don’t distract myself as I sit here with (pauses to count) 16 tabs on my computer open.
As promised, here are some accounts on Substack that I follow, two that are quite different. I am calling them New and Old. By that, I am referencing the ages of the writers.
I discovered Jenny when she was a young fashion illustrator (she is still young to me), and I often referred to her as one of the best; her hand was loose, and she had an old-world romantic feeling to it. She now lives in Milan and writes a column for Vogue about all her vintage clothing finds. It's a fun email to open. Her recommendations for all good things in Rome and Milan made me want to pack my bags immediately.
He’s worth your subscription quotient. You may not know this, but he is 93 years old and still kickin'! His articles are to the point and easy to grasp. On Sundays, he always shares stories about music. He gives it to you like a trustworthy old-school newsman who is not worried about being sued. This article about Boston's mayor, Michelle Wu was in his Sunday edition titled A Reason to Smile.
Until next time, Monica
Monica- Unbound is stunning. Seeing it in person must be amazing with its large scale. Love following how your work has morphed over the years. Kudos.