Above is an early-in-process-snapshot of the third iteration of a painting based off a daydream I had over a decade ago. Through this daydream I noticed that the ripples of my life were weaving into the ripples of another’s life. And for that very reason this image has become an important pillar in my artist excursion. I cannot, and maybe dare not, divulge how many pages this very idea covers in a few sketchbooks over the years. But this is the painting that I’ve known for awhile that I wanted to make the most, and the one that requires the full breadth of my ability. And then some.
Not only does it require all that I can muster, but the fullest expanse of my practice is compulsory. From deep wells of imagination, hidden springs of inspiration, trickling streams of observation, and tributaries of practice. And in the throes of developing this piece, after all of the thumbnail sketches and detail drawings (no, I still won’t tell you how many there are), two failed larger iterations, and this final piece that’s when the notion of “convergence” caught my attention. Alongside the sketches I’ve had to do observational paintings to look at lighting, and to render the figure more believably; the nuances of light and color in the figure and surrounding atmosphere are too much for me to imagine. I’ve also had to study other artists to ponder over their success, looking at compositions and scale, color palettes, brushwork, and layering techniques. I’ve had to brush up on archival processes to ensure a better surface quality. And regular sessions of revivification with my favorite cinematographic films. And all the while the voices of my professors and mentors reverberating the walls of my mind. It has been an incredible coalescence of tributaries.
As much as this painting has been a revelation of what my work requires, it has also shown me how much further I have to go in way of executing the visions and day dreams. I cannot paint without imagination, but those visions and scenes will breadth of my practice. A few months ago this understanding was a heavy weight. But now this understanding is a relief, a benchmark in my journey. And I’m more excited to see what I get to make next.