Choices

“You get to choose.”

The name of this series is inspired by my friend Kristi, who reminds me during my hardest transitions – “you always get to choose.”

For each piece, I started with a basic sketch of a woman’s body in a chosen environment.

Using therapeutic aspects of the neurographic art technique (Pavel Piscarev), I used flowing contour lines to fill in broad spaces based on the mood of the piece and the emotions I personally wanted to process while painting.

Next, I layered in my colors and then added detail to the forms that took hold, using strong, smooth lines with unbroken brushstrokes to emphasize certain shapes.

The process of making each painting was as important as the visual outcome: each evolved steadily as I discarded what didn’t belong and reinforced what did.

Making choices during and after chaos is the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.

This series – Fire, Signal, Stop Feeling Sorry for Yourself, Architect, and Community – is about those choices I made and the surprising, brilliant, messy, and life-changing outcomes that came as a result.

Acrylic on canvas, 16” x 20”

After playing with the neurographic art style (developed by Pavel Piscarev), I thought it would be interesting to incorporate some recognizable elements into this abstract form of art therapy. This painting was my first full piece in that style. Although it wasn’t created deliberately as part of this series, I’m including it here because it was the precursor to the following five paintings that make up “Choices.”

Acrylic on canvas

12" x 12"

Action ameliorates anxiety, or so I’ve heard. Also overheard once and committed to memory: where the body goes, the mind follows.

‘Fire’ is the first piece in this series and introduces a character hunched into herself, potentially giving up, maybe starting a fire. Strength and vulnerability interplay; she is crowded but alone. She is her only resource.

To purchase the original visit here.

To purchase a print, visit here.