This new group of paintings have been created in 2020. When Covid-19 hit it gave people a chance to stop. I heard many people say they felt grateful to be able to get off the mouse wheel of life and be able to stop – to be still, and to open to themselves. There has been a resetting of sorts in 2020, like the old way of life with all its structures, are disintegrating and a new way of life from our well-being is emerging. With this new work I was inspired to open more deeply to create some new and fresh looking works. Still my signature but also different, or with the use of other colours to my palette.
.
With all of my work the intention is to convey the essential truth of who we are, beyond mind and body. Essentially we are freedom, peace, love. We have been conditioned to follow the mind to search outside of ourselves for this. Here is the opportunity to discover that our essential nature and everything we desire is actually within us. This self-recognition of our true, eternal nature can only be recognise in this moment. We may hold a memory of a past experience about it, or desire a future one but truly we can only realise who we are here, now. It’s simple yet challenging! Challenging as soon after this recognition the conditioned mind comes back in and we are tested on our resolve. All the habits of the mind come in to be identified with again – or not.
.
So yes, this new body of work of mine is communicating this truth of awareness and also that we are collectively and rapidly waking up! 2020, with all its challenges, is supporting us to come out of this conditioned way of living and to surrender to the depth of being here. Quite exciting times we are living in and I feel 2021 onwards will be the start of an even more creative, caring, and loving way of being for all. So I hope people enjoy my paintings as they convey a message even if that is not consciously realised it is still there to be received. The intention is to use my art as support and love for people.
.
With this new body of work it is a mix of works on canvas and on wood panels. I have not worked on wooden panels before. It felt a little odd at first and then I loved it! It was also fun to have some without a white primer applied and incorporate the grain of the wood with the artwork. I look forward to creating more works on wood. I also enjoyed using more turquoise blue with other colours, via the use of washes and directly, as I haven’t used all these in combination together before. The whole experience of painting this collection was a joy! A definite highlight of 2020 and some of my best work was produced!
.
