My initial sketch for this piece was just a simple figure: a woman reclining; peaceful and comfortable in her skin. I didn't want to begin with a white background, so I settled into a familiar and satisfying process of laying down color and texture with brush, spray paint, and whatever tools I had at hand. This part of the paintings is always so free and helps me to channel the mood I end up flowing with.
Calm blues and deep pinks and purples were cut with bright yellow and swathes of white that became a dreamy background for a muse lost in her thoughts. Bringing her onto the canvas became a practice in centering the moment. Each stroke of the brush was a remembering of the strength and joy found in the creative path. Every time I stepped back to consider the progress, it was a reflection on the years, days, and breaths that I have spent on this journey and a celebration of those to come.
