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

Time-less
Open Studios - 2012

This exhibit features time, and the lack thereof. They are common sentiments among people in general - "There's not enough time in the day,"  and "Where did the time go?" As busy as I have always been, I have never felt them as acutely as I have in this past year, now attempting to balance raising a child, working multiple jobs (the glamorous life of an artist), and somehow finding time to paint in the studio. All of the artwork on display is therefore a functional clock, each reminding me constantly of the divided time I must share between various parts of my life.

The largest clock, Surrounded, is specifically inspired by the push and pull of being a mother. The complimentary colors of purple and yellow are utilized for two reasons. 1) These colors are opposites and I often feel pulled in opposite directions in my life as a mother and my life as an artist. 2) Complimentary colors' high contrast allows each to seem its most vibrant when viewed next to the other. Purple will look the most purple when surrounded by yellows (rather than any other color) and yellow will look the most yellow when surrounded by purples. Similarly, as I continue to explore my role as a parent in addition to exploring my role as a creative individual, I realize that I am the most vibrant "me" when I allot time for both opposite roles. I enjoy the time with my son so much more when I also have time for myself to paint, and I am so much more motivated during my time in the studio when I am able to spend separate quality time with my son. I may always feel like I need more time, but I am working on appreciating the vibrancy in each moment I have.

Staying with the theme of a lack of time and my penchant for utilizing recycled materials in my work, many of the clocks in this exhibit are older works that I have re-purposed as clocks to represent the past. There are also many blank clocks that are as of yet unpainted to represent the future.