This series of paintings explores the vibrant, expressive potential of gouache—a medium known for its tricky nature and unpredictable qualities. The opaque, water-soluble paint offers a unique challenge, as it can shift between being bold and flat, to subtle and fluid, requiring constant adjustments and quick decision-making. It’s precisely this unpredictability that draws me to gouache time and time again. The process of working with it—navigating its opacity, the delicate balance between water and pigment, and the layers that reveal themselves as the paint dries—brings a dynamic, ever-changing rhythm to my work.
Gouache Paint
This piece is a monochromatic exploration, focusing on the depth and richness that can be achieved within a single color. Using varying shades of red, I aimed to capture the subtle textures and contrasts in a simple scene—strawberries nestled in a bowl. The study emphasizes the power of color to evoke mood and detail, while also challenging the limits of perception within the constraints of a singular hue.
Study in Red
Study in Orange
In this monochromatic study, I worked with varying tones of orange to explore the interplay between color, form, and movement. The goldfish, with its delicate fins and fluid motion, is set against the warm, calming backdrop of orange hues. This piece reflects the way color can shape both the subject and the atmosphere, creating a sense of harmony while challenging the limits of a single color palette.
Reproductive Rights are Human Rights
Reimagining the strength and complexity of Medusa, this piece draws inspiration from Art Nouveau posters to highlight the ongoing struggle for women's reproductive rights. Medusa, often portrayed as a symbol of victimization, is here re-envisioned as a powerful figure reclaiming her autonomy. Her story, once defined by loss and punishment, now stands as a testament to the resilience and agency of women, confronting the systems that seek to strip them of their rights. Created for the course Form, Color, and Content in 2023.