Images via crateandbarrel.com
I’m so thrilled to have gotten the chance to work with Crate & Barrel! They commissioned 3 paintings for their Spring 2024 “Coastal” themed collection. Soft hues, natural shapes and a peaceful aesthetic drove the intention with “Cliffs”, “Off Shore” and “Underwater”. Each painting uses a mix of acrylic paint, India ink and paint marker on watercolor paper along with a glazing technique to create depth and layering. Keep reading to learn more about each one.
Underwater
Tell us the inspiration for this piece.
I was inspired by water and how it magnifies and alters the shape of objects in it. I thought about rocks on a shore being submerged halfway, how the surface acts as a dividing line, and the subtle shifts in perspective that happen between the two.
Is there a story behind this artwork?
The concept was about conveying a perspective that is familiar to us all.
How does this piece relate to your everyday life?
It reminds me to look at everyday objects and ordinary things with curiosity and to observe them with a new perspective.
What message would you like others to understand about this particular artwork?
My hope is that this artwork piques your own curiosity or provides a sense of wonder and peace.
Cliffs
Tell us the inspiration for this piece.
I was inspired by tall cliffs with rugged silhouettes and the color shifts that happen with atmospheric perspective.
Is there a story behind this artwork?
Not too long ago, I did a 5 day backpacking trip at the bottom of the Grand Canyon with my partner and I couldn’t believe how massive the canyon is. At times our hike was terrifying but exhilarating because the trails can get very close to the edge, which is a straight drop down to the Colorado River. When I painted this, I thought about those depths and tried to convey the steep, harsh drop offs and layers of elevations we encountered.
How does this piece relate to your everyday life?
This piece is very far from my everyday reality of living in a big city, but that’s why I painted it. I love being in an urban environment and looking at artwork that takes me back to a beautiful moment in nature.
What message would you like others to understand about this particular artwork?
My hope is that these cliffs bring you to a personal experience you had in nature or serve as inspiration to get outside and do something adventurous.
Off Shore
Tell us the inspiration for this piece.
Off Shore was inspired by a landscape of rock formations known as sea stacks and arches, where rocky coastlines jut out into the sea and erode from the waves, leaving columns of rocks, caves and tunnels. I’m always fascinated by the beauty of these and the amount time it took for them to weather away.
Is there a story behind this artwork?
With this piece, I imagined a place I would want to go instead of a place I’ve been. After making the painting, I tried finding images online that looked similar to what I envisioned and the Oregon coast came the closest to that.
How does this piece relate to your everyday life?
This piece is very far from my everyday reality of living in a big city, but that’s why I painted it. I love being in an urban environment and looking at artwork that takes me to a nature-inspired place.
What message would you like others to understand about this particular artwork?
My hope is that this artwork provides a sense of calm, peace, and a reminder to be present and take note of the beauty that surrounds you in these fleeting moments. What we see is a moment in time, and it changes in small ways every day.
