the SWELL

I am slightly hesitant to share the story behind this painting just yet. Writing about my work is an additional layer of vulnerability I am not accustomed to and I’m also still processing all it represents.

I have been painting landscapes for the past six years and I probably will continue, but after a year of questioning myself as an artist I recently found myself more open to new ventures in my art business and practice. There are many more details to this story, but the gist is this past year was rooted in tension between the need to contribute financially to our family while simultaneously knowing that my art business needed to be a priority even though it isn’t guaranteed income. While I don’t have complete resolution to that tension I do have peace that I am right where I need to be.

Without tiptoeing around it too much, this painting that I’ve called “The Swelll” inspired by the way I experience the Holy Spirit. It depicts the overwhelming feeling of fullness, goodness, peace, hope and joy to which my ability with words doesn’t adequately capture. There is most likely much more I could say about this piece— actually I know there is, but the words aren’t quite there yet. For now I leave you to enjoy this stage of “The Swell.”