In a State (Grace)

Acrylic, oil pastel and pencil on cradled plywood

24 x 16 in

61 x 40.6 cm

The ongoing Super Ply series consists of black and white paintings on bare plywood. I begin with a random hand doodled abstract monotype on the bare wood, then paint with 2 small brushes and my hands. I add details with oil pastels and pencil. I usually work in silence alone in my studio, but some of these have been created live at art events and reflect the mood I sensed in the room. As a process painter, I allow each painting to develop organically so the character and context are not planned at all. Any text fragments - and the title - become clear at the end when the piece resolves itself.

It was a mental struggle to paint this, fitting given the calm, strong and beautiful state of Grace she ultimately reached, albeit still missing her string of pearls beneath that rat's nest of an updo and her own thoughts. /there is a tunnel and it is imaginary/