Uncovering:

COLLECTION STORY

In mid-March of this year, I stood in the center of my studio. My mind scrolled through ideas, pausing here and there. In response to a couple of different ideas, I noticed my mind question: “…but, will it be successful?"

That's when I remembered planting tomato seeds in Saint Louis.

I planted plenty - planning for only a handful to grow. I wasn't worried about the non-sprouting seeds - it was expected that some would never bloom. When has nature ever allowed 100/100 seeds to sprout unless some kind of toxin is introduced? Shouldn't the same be true of paintings? That is when inspiration’s ‘spark’ visited me. I would create many small paintings, offer them all the “sun, light, and water” (so to speak) they need, but relax into the painting process with the mindset: what will be, will be.

I unrolled a giant roll of canvas on my studio floor, cut a large piece to size, hammered it to the wall, and used painter's tape to create 48 openings.

Some paintings were planned compositions - intentionally executed from white canvas to completion. Others were not planned - I (maybe closing my eyes a few times) added a few spontaneous strokes, wanting them to dictate the composition to come - playing with Cindy Sherman's idea of “summoning something I don't even know until I see it.” 

The process felt like controlling and deliberately relinquishing control. Planning and not planning. I felt so much permission to succeed and fail - wanting to collect both and learn from both.

As though I were working something up from the earth, I found myself thinking: “what will I uncover?” This idea has become the title of this collection. On the one hand, I was curious about the aesthetics that would reveal themselves as I experimented with different paint strokes and color stories. But I also meant: what will I uncover in myself if I approach a multitude of paintings with this intention to collect both failures and successes, without being attached to either.

This collection was a pleasure to create. It was an exploration, a practice in freedom, and generally so much fun. Know that if you choose to bring one into your home, you are welcoming in the spirit of ease, playfulness, and creative risk-taking.

Scroll down to take a look - I hope you enjoy this collection!