In a few days I’ll be hanging my first solo art show. I’ve been working on this goal since January 2023 – back then I was taking Lettie Jane’s Deeper Drawing class at Ulna Studio. I wanted to give myself a challenge to make a painting on a large, wooden panel with subject matter inspired by a folk interior design book I thrifted. That painting launched a still life series infused with subject matter from my one bedroom apartment—which I inhabit alone—in SE Portland near Laurelhurst Park.
Like many young millennials, I am addicted to instant gratification. What I’m trying to say is this project took me way too long, and while I am excited with the work I have made I can’t help but look at it all together and feel a little bit disappointed. “This is it?” Well, yeah! And I can’t wait to show you. I’m proud of myself for balancing my life around my art practice and dedicating the time to paint larger pieces. I always have my sketchbooks and scrap pieces of paper, but this project, for me, took guts. I have to remind myself that.
I enjoyed using my apartment as subject matter. In a way these still life paintings are self portraits – the tulips I bought myself are evidence of my thoughtfulness for myself. The smoking chair by my kitchen window feels like I just stood up to finish making my food. The experience of living alone can be both freeing and lonely.
To me, this work captures a very specific mood that is playful, nostalgic, and also bittersweet. Holding these multitudes is an important component that I continue to attempt to portray in my work.
I’ve found the way for me to explore these conflicting moods is through painting everyday ephemeral happenings using a saturated, complementary color palette. The happenings I’m interested in can be quite simple: a cast shadow, smoke, a candle in the wind, a phase of the moon, etc. These things are so delightful and temporary and there’s a sadness in that. I love the bittersweetness of a temporary thing.
I’m hanging the show up this weekend February 4th and the opening party is Saturday February 10th from 4-6pm at Albina Press on Hawthorne. I hope to see you there!
Upcoming Events:
Art Show “Habitat” opening party Saturday February 10 from 4-6 at Albina Press on Hawthorne.
I am teaching my 5 week Sketchbook Journey class again! The class is full but check out the other amazing classes Ulna offers.
Currently reading:
The third book in the Mirror Visitor series: The Memory of Babel by Christelle Dabos. Something I appreciate about this book series is the chapter lengths are consistent! I try to read a chapter before bed each night and/or in the morning with my coffee. It reads like a Ghibli movie with maybe some Harry Potter vibes thrown in – with more politics.
Love all of these!
I can't wait to see these beauties in person!