Artist Essay
Pentimento: Layered Meanings Brought to Light
(While this essay pertains specifically to my solo show at gallery Art & Soul, it also describes more broadly my body of work and approach to art.)
In my exhibition, I invite you to explore the painting concept of "pentimento" --- the re-emergence of older elements as newer ones fade over time. Much like the human experience, my paintings are imbued with complex, overlapping narratives whether immediately apparent or not.
Through my realistic figurative works, I capture not just the outward appearance of my subjects, but also the depth of their interior lives, their pasts, and the myriad messages concealed within their expressions, clothing, and body language. A portrait of a man putting on his jacket, for instance, shows his shadow coming to life, hinting at the multifaceted nature of his identity.
Delving deeper into the exploration of the self, my abstracted portraits feature thoughts, memories, and obscured elements that float around a central figure, blurring the lines between how they wish to be perceived and the hidden aspects of their being. In one painting, a father's family is partially obscured by fragments of his own psyche, mirroring the way we often see or don't see what is around us.
Extending this metaphor, I use the imagery of the "kiosk" in my abstract works to represent the interior worlds of my subjects --- a space where announcements, graffiti, and proclamations of love are layered, with the newer obscuring the older. Yet, as these surfaces are peeled away, the past re-emerges, altered by time and the proximity of other voices.
I also have geometric abstracts that conceal words or phrases, inviting the viewer to uncover hidden beliefs and truths that we sometimes keep from ourselves.
The concept of "pentimento" extends beyond the canvas and into my personal life as well. Our house burned to the ground in the Jesusita fire, after which we rebuilt and named the new house Pentimento. In this new home the traces of our pasts and futures are woven into the very fabric of the structure, the objects we collect, and the gatherings we host. *
Ultimately, my art seeks to reveal that life is complex when viewed up close. From a distance, as seen in my aerial landscapes, we can appreciate the interconnectedness of all things, understanding that the layers of meaning are simply the building blocks of our existence --- ingredients to be savored, not puzzles to be solved.
I invite you to join me on this journey of unveiling the hidden, the obscured, and the palimpsest-like qualities of identity, memory, and the human experience. Let us together peel back the layers and discover the rich tapestry of our lives.
* Acclaimed photographer Amy Barnard approached me and my husband Steven Wright several years ago with the idea of capturing the essence of our home in a photographic and architectural book. The book, titled "Pentimento" is set to be published in the next several months. At 5 pm on April 11 at Art & Soul, Amy, Steven, and I will be sharing a visual presentation and talk about the book! We will have two sample books at the gallery for your perusal, and we will be offering a pre-sale, and opportunity for a customized book signing!