Three painting series proposal

When I started contemplating what ideas I wanted to incorporate into my painting series, one element was clear to me immediately. I want to continue my work with texture, but expand upon it to challenge the ways I have worked with texture in the past. One inspiration for this is the work of Mark Bradford. Similar to the type of texture I have incorporated in my part works, Bradford incorporated thick, layered paint into his pieces too. I enjoy this application of texture because it’s simple to work with my palate knife to achieve this sort of texture. It also allows for me to be able to create an almost marbled effect with my paint if I choose not to fully mix my colors, I think this adds depth to my texture and work as a whole. However, as much as I enjoy working with texture in this 3D, layered way similar to Bradford, I want to challenge myself to tackle different textures, such as rough, smooth, glassy, sheen, soft, piney, fuzzy, reflective, and more.

So, for this project proposal, I want to create a series of three paintings that capture a different form of texture. As far as choosing what textures I want to use, I referenced the artists map list of key elements I incorporate in my work. Two of the concepts that stood out to me as textures I wanted to focus on related to themes of human anatomy and nature that I commonly include in my art.

The first texture related to human anatomy. I wanted to paint something visceral, and capture the slimy sheen that distinguish living organs from dead ones. Although it may seem morbid and dark, I see this as a positive representation of life. Only healthy living organs have the vibrant shades of pale pink, lush reds, brilliant purples, and lively yellows. An organ that reflects light off it’s protective sheen is also an indication of a healthy organ. For this project, I want to work on mastering the wet, shiny texture of organs by using a glossy finish, smooth and globby paint strokes, and using highlights to emphasize these textures. I plan to zoom in quite close to a portion of intestine-looking organ to focus the attention on the various forms of texture of the organ, the fatty mesentery tissue, and sheen coating it all.

The second texture I thought of was the rough, scaley texture of my pet lizards back. My bearded dragon is a source of inspiration for my work and represents my love for nature, particularly elements of nature that are less-widely adored. Her back is composed of bumpy scales, rubbery feeling spikes that harder when she gets defensive, and smooth patches of scales. For this painting, I plan to incorporate more of my layered application of paint to achieve that rougher edged-form. I also play to have the painting be a close-up of her back scales, so it won’t be displaying her lizard body as a whole. I hope that by doing this, it will emphasize the element of texture over subject.

I am yet to make up my mind on my third and final element of texture, but I am leaning towards wanting to represent a more fuzzy, soft, or tufty texture in this painting. One thing I am considering while brainstorming what the final piece will be are the other over-arching themes present in my series. All of these elements are relevant to my identity as an individual artist. I want to paint healthy intestines because of my experience battling chronic illness and represent the hope I hold onto that I am in remission and have healthy internal organs. I want to paint my lizard who I love dearly and whom I adopted when I was diagnosed with my auto immune disease and my life changed forever. For my last painting, I want it to be representative of another important aspect of my life and identity as an artist. Ever since being diagnosed, Frida Kahlo has been my favorite artist and largest inspiration as an artist. Although none of my paintings for this series will be a self-portrait of myself, they will represent elements of myself and things that have surrounded me during my journey being diagnosed with chronic illness, and growing to adapt to my new lifestyle. I hope that the color palate will reflect not just the texture, but the liveliness of each important symbolic texture.