Behind Hydrothermal Eyes

Hydrothermal Eyes, 16” x 20”, acrylic on panel, 2018.

The title points to geological features and human emotions and asks the viewer to consider the similarities between them. Hydrothermal-like ripples encircle kelp forests and bioluminescent organisms exhibit aquatic wonder in the painting. Layers of subjects like tracheid cells, species camouflage, and the cosmos also inspire the artwork.  Humans communicate extreme emotions with the eye in the same way as the hydrothermal temperatures exhibit extreme geological features.  The constellation of subjects reveals interrelationships and connections between the small to large in our world. I compose at macro and micro levels and the scale of the subject moves from aerial to microscopic.  I have a fascination in depicting these different scales and perspectives in the same composition.

I enjoy the potential metaphors in the hydrothermal hot spring features I saw at Yellowstone National Park. I chose this subject because of the depth of beauty in the colors but also the contrast that it is dangerous to humans to touch. The natural phenomenon of the heated water below the earth’s crust is an extreme environment in our world. There are trillions of microorganisms called extremophiles that make up the rings of vivid colors in these features. These creatures live within extreme conditions and are an unexpected metaphor. I like that it can be abstract on a first glance but also reference something that is somewhat recognizable. That mystery is compelling to create and explore in my paintings. The Burnt Umber webbing form in the lower right was inspired by looking at images of tracheids cells in plants. 

 

Recurring Motifs- Tracheids

There are some patterns or motifs that I have been repeating in my work for as long as I can remember.  For example in Moon Pollinators the webbing pattern is repeated twice in this detail of the painting as a large structure in light ultramarine blue and then as a small pattern in light violet.   Looking at images of tracheid cells in plants originally inspired the motif and you can see it repeated in many of my paintings.  It has become part of my visual vocabulary as an artist.  Similar to the trachea in the human body, the tracheids transport and distribute important elements like water and salts to all the different parts of the plant.  It’s how the plants breathe and live.   At first, my heart responded with joy in viewing the tracheids intricate patterns and magnificent color variations. Next I was further drawn to its function as a vessel.  I find the subject of a vessel is rich with poetic metaphor and creates content or meaning in the painting.  The tracheid pattern draws attention to the subject and is further transformed through the process of painting.  I see this pattern in my work like a vessel that holds and transports our vital life essence and also creates a road map for experience as humans.