Artwork > Paintings on Found Wood > Select Exhibits > Open Studios

“Knot” just black and white
Open Studios - 2010

Seeing things in black and white can neglect the complexity of any situation. So too, in observing things solely with a brightly colored lens, can we overlook smaller details that may need further attention. This body of work highlights the small but striking streams of brilliance and hope that flow through larger monochromatic areas of shadows.

You may notice that what appears to be black from afar, is actually full of color upon closer inspection. Similarly, seeing things in black and white can be attributed to a “zoomed out” perspective as the intricacies of issues are usually revealed when time is taken to consider a situation from multiple angles. My hope is to portray that it is not only important to look at the “shades of gray” in these circumstances, but also to recognize the vital colors existing in every situation.

Connected to some extent by their color palette, these works also share a repeated feature of the wood itself. Knots are complicated, beautiful, and full of history. They bear witness to the passing time and development of a tree as they represent memories of past branches. As trees mature, lower limbs often die but continue to live on in spirit as the subsequent layers of growth form around their stems. Some knots are considered defects, are nightmares for carpenters, and, pending placement, will weaken the wood. However, some knots strategically placed actually can strengthen the wood’s character. It is within these knots that we can reflect, discover, and heal.