The Space Between Us
What began as an exploration of color, shape, and the space between us, ended as a statement on how our lives are interconnected.
Prior to beginning the series for the grant, I was working with blues and greens, often with circles of warm colors. The work became textural as I layered oil pastel over and over to find what color worked for each shape. The background tended to be dark, cold. Some circles would overlap or touch in small groups, but they were always separate from each other. These were created in 2018 through early 2020. While these works of pure abstraction may not tell a story they speak to the division in our country and the animosity between our cultural tribes.
Changing Times
After I was awarded the grant, and while I waited to begin the work, 2020 happened. First, the pandemic and then protests against institutional racism. My work is not directly about these events, but it is heavily influenced by them and in surprising ways. Both the pandemic and the protests showed me how connected we are. It is in everybody’s best interest to have a healthy community. It is in everybody’s best interest that all people are treated with respect, that no community is marginalized.
My work became brighter and lighter with the realization that we are all, truly, connected. My individual circles began to reach out for each other. The spaces I created were bright and hopeful.
This exhibition is intended to showcase a series that I have been working on over the past 18 months. It is also meant to help people understand non-objective art, or pure abstraction, a term that I prefer.
The SEMAC Grant
Applying for the grant changed the way I view my work. The application forced me to consider my work within the context of our community, not just as an individual pursuit. If I am creating work for my community, what message do I want to send?
The Work
Mixed Oil Pastel on Sanded Paper 17x20 2020 $200
Rise Oil Pastel on Sanded Paper 27x20 2020 $350
Hold Oil Pastel on Sanded Paper 17x20 2020 SOLD
Together Oil Pastel on Sanded Paper 40x30 2020 SOLD
Break Oil Pastel on Sanded Paper 40x30 2020 $850
Secure Oil Pastel on Sanded Paper 30x40 2020 $350
One Oil Pastel on Sanded Paper 30x40 2021 $850 Currently at Gallery 24
Through Oil Pastel on Sanded Paper 40x20 2021 $750 Currently at Gallery 24