when we shine
I started this collection because of intuition and some leftover house paint. I made it because it needed to be made and only in reflection have
I come to know why it is here.
This collection has become about exploring who i am as an artist and a person. Accessing deep levels of self-trust. It's about leaning into the voice that says 'what if you followed your joy and intuition? A questioning of 'what's the worst that could happen?' but even more so a curiosity around how good it could actually feel. If the voices that said I couldn't take up space or be loud, bold or courageous were silenced, then what? If I could be so audacious as to try it out- what would I find? How would I feel? What would the 'not yet' hold?
What I found was a river of this singular and expansive thread of expression. These colors selected me and breathed and moved until they were ready to rest. They are bold and unapologetic in the space they take up.
The deep green became really representative of safety and rest- a place in which it is safe to explore, try, follow intuition and take risks. It is hard-earned and something each of us must find in the core of ourselves.
Red became representative of what happens within that safety. What happened when I followed my intuition. I took big scary swings (both personally and artistically) and it felt really fucking good to be so big. You'll see a lot of movement within this color. Lots of freedom in brush strokes and shapes on the pieces. In red, it feels important to let the edges go where they will.
And the gold. Gold became representative of the shine- the inevitable outcome of choosing joy and bravery over familiarity and comfort. Gold is what happens when I create safety for myself, boldly follow my intuition and take up space. In the pieces, you'll often see gold as more measured and sure. Distinct. And of course, this is all a practice.
Lastly, texture. The textures of thread and nails and brass is how I bring the women in my family with me. How I honor the legacy of beauty and pain in my lineage. It is representative of what happens when generational trauma is looked at, sat with, felt and healed.
These paintings are places for their fear and doubt and pain to rest, as well as mine. Places that, when compassionately sat with long enough, start to soften and shine. I am grateful for the space and grateful these pieces chose me to give them life.
hiding is human | 14x6 | acrylic and embroidery thread on mdf
everything is progress | 7.5x9 | acrylic and embroidery thread on paper
i'd like to dream | 7.5x9 | acrylic on paper
permission to expand | 14x6 | acrylic and embroidery thread on mdf
how we see ourselves | 14x6 | acrylic and embroidery thread on mdf
let there be focus | 20x8 | acrylic and embroidery thread on mdf
when we shine | 51x26 | acrylic and embroidery thread on mdf
you are safe to trust yourself | 20x8 | acrylic and embroidery thread on mdf
reconsider your value (it is immense) | 20x14 | acrylic and embroidery thread on mdf
whichever way, we shine | 14x7.5 | acrylic and embroidery thread on mdf
make it true make it beautiful | 12x9 | acrylic and pastel on paper
let it be messy let it be beautiful | 18x14 | acrylic on canvas board
right on time | 12x26 | acrylic on canvas series
perfect. | 32x42 | acrylic and embroidery thread on foamboard
when a life opens | 13x16 | acrylic on canvas
dream in safety | 14x19.5 | acrylic on paper
I choose to belong | 11x22 | acrylic and embroidery thread on paper
why not us | 32x22 | acrylic and nails on foamboard
look at us now | 32x22 | acrylic and brass on foamboard
no wrong way | 20x26 | acrylic on canvas
the next right thing | 23x22 | acrylic and embroidery thread on paper