The Psychological Effects of an Uncertain World and the Interconnectedness of Hope and Research,
Encasutic, Shellac, and Pigment Stick on Cradled Panel, 20" x 20" x 1.5"
(Shown at Hope Lives: Art for ALS - Research Renderings
exhibited at the SFWA Gallery in San Francisco, CA)
A microscopic research image and artistic influences, including abstract expressionism, surrealism, and biomorphism, inspired this painting. I added multiple layers of encaustic paint, shellac, oil pigment, and carved expressive marks into the surface, capturing the simultaneous feelings of fear, pain, frustration, and hope experienced by those suffering from ALS.
Strange, eyeball-like forms emerge from the biomorphic shapes of a stretched, deteriorating spinal cord, represented by radiating lines that create a sense of movement and depth. The color palette features cool tones such as blues, grays, and whites, with hints of red, black, and gold that add a slightly jarring contrast. The thick, expressive brushstrokes and scratchy texture create an eerie, surreal quality.
As ALS causes the body to fail while the mind remains active, the eye-like images evoke a sense of awareness and understanding. While communication between neurons diminishes, resulting in muscle atrophy and loss of movement, the eyes symbolize a window into the soul, representing the gentle communication of an active mind and the search for a cure. The overall effect evokes a cluster of surreal, otherworldly creatures as neural structures, suggesting watchfulness and interconnectedness.
On the Watch, Encaustic, Shellac, and Pigment Stick
on Cradled Panel, 11" x 11" x 1.5"
