I Just Need Space (2024)
Medium: Acrylic paint, Oil Pastel, Acrylic marker, Gold Leaf, Charcoal, Water Colour
Canvas/paper type: Cotton Canvas
Details:
Gloss varnish finish to protect against UV rays
Professional grade archival quality materials
Winsor & Newton acrylic paints
Gold leaf sheets
GOLDEN acrylic paint
Gallery wrapped, deep edged, heavy duty style canvas
Signed certificate of authenticity
Cotton deep edged style canvas
Size: 24” x 30”
Description: This hybrid abstract and realist painting emulates how the different facets of spirituality have influenced me through creativity, existentialism, and philosophy. The base of this multilayered composition began with a silent meditation before I picked up some jumbo sized acrylic markers and scribbled words onto the canvas. The words that I conjured were associated with my present spirituality and where I wanted to be with my spiritual self. Words such as “LOVE”, “FREEDOM”, “CREATE”, “HAPPY”, and “RAW” are a few examples. Throwing different mediums, such as oil pastels, acrylic paints, and charcoal, onto the blank canvas while in a state of intuitive free flow and complete surrender to the present moment…felt exhilarating. This stage of the creative process required a surge of chaos cascading into movement of my body, as seen through the markings of various tools utilized to create this bright, bold, and abstract base.
The outline of the astronaut overlaid on the abstract background is seen to be in a state of silent meditation, which aims to portray stillness and a sense of serenity in contrast to the first layer. The astronaut is seen as centred, peaceful, and aims to provoke a sense of present moment awareness to the viewer. The paradoxical layering of chaos underneath calmness both emulate the same concept - letting go. Thus, I strive to portray how two very different internal states of being can create contrasting outcomes on the canvas translated through colours, shapes, and mediums whilst achieving the same goal.
The base layer of this painting was created within the walls of my art studio, which was then brought to completion at a solo live painting art event at the CANVAS Art Bar, located in Port Credit, ON. Being captivated in a dynamic environment with a live DJ, while enjoying cocktails and appetizers as viewers danced the night away and watched me paint, was such an indescribable experience. My easel was set up by the inner main window of the art bar, where passers by observed me painting, while engaging with me through fun sign language from the other side of the window. Conversing with individuals about my creative process and inviting feedback around the direction of the painting allowed for several unique and intimate conversations to manifest with the spectators. An individual in particular conversed with me around whether I should add gold leaf accents to the astronauts physique, which I ended up incorporating towards the end of the piece. This experience tested my ability to stay in a state of flow and letting go while jammin’ out to live music while having individuals watching me create through my live intuitive stream of consciousness.
Concepts related to existentialism and the Cosmos have served as one of the pillars of inspiration for the majority of my paintings. For me, the Universe and its mysteries ignites a sense of wonder, awe, and fear of the unknown. The philosophies and theories associated with the Universe spark the question of “Why”. By incorporating an astronaut into this painting, I aim to bridge my dihcotomic portrayals of meditation through a Cosmic lens, which further amplifies the existential theme of this painting.
Mindfulness meditation is generally viewed as a form of religious practice, often causing skepticism for individuals who are exploring their spirituality but do not wish to adopt any form of dogma. I believe meditation is a tool that allows one to connect with their true, authentic, and raw self. This practice requires one to cultivate space for themselves to reflect upon their own thoughts, feelings, and emotions. My aim with this painting is to illustrate how meditation is a concept that can be modified according to an individuals experience with their own existence, irrelevant of any preconceived notions of what meditation “should” entail. Any thought, action, feeling, or experience that allows one to achieve a sense of peacefulness and letting go is a form of meditation. Whether it is movement or stillness, activity or static - it is up to you to manifest what a state of flow looks like for your inner being.
“No matter what tools you use to create, the true instrument is you. And through you, the Universe that surrounds us all comes into focus.” - Rick Rubin
Price: $975