Description

Ding

Ding is an oil painting on canvas which I created as part of a quest for a sense of freedom. I wanted to paint outside in nature; I ended up visiting a beautiful garden not very far away from home. The process of creating came very easily and naturally on this occasion perhaps because I hadn’t painted in oils for quite a long time and I had no expectations; I was just looking for an experience.

Part of it all

It was a beautiful day, bright light danced around the leaves, there were many shrubs, trees and plants and the air filled with bird song. I experimented with the application of paint some areas very thick, some transparent and allowed them to mingle, I felt absorbed by my surroundings as if I was just part of it all. After this first painting session, I stored the painting for several weeks until I noticed it again.

In the studio

I stood in front of the painting, not sure what to do and then by chance, my daughter shared some music with me, which hit the right note and had a very similar effect to being in the garden. I came into the moment again, this time, I was lost in music, and the painting took direction from my absorption in the rich sounds.

Perception

Through my painting process, I explore the way we embody ourselves in different environments. I am interested in how our inner experience crosses over with what’s physically there to create our unique perception of reality.