pigment

*This painting is one of my favorites in a series of Kenya-themed works I've done.
















A few weeks ago I decided to archive the 30 or so paintings I've created over the last year. They're not terribly good or anything, and they're definitely abstract. But I don't care. They're my treasures.

And, I just really like to paint. A whole lot.

I haven't done much of it lately (the unfortunate consequence of my happy existence is a slowing of artistic output), but it's been a fantastic way to harness my energy and archive my past.

Recently, I've had this weird fear that an impending fire would destroy all of my stuff. Completely rational, I'm sure. I just keep imagining myself racing out of a burning apartment building holding torn pieces of canvas paper that I'd tried to salvage.

Trying to pick which paintings were the most beloved is like trying to pick which teeth you'd most want removed. (Although everyone knows it'd be a hidden one towards the back, but not a molar. You need those to chew.)

Anyhow, I just realized I want to have a record of this beautiful time in my life when the urge to create was particularly healing and generated something physical. This blog is one way, my journal another, but these paintings merge mementos from my past, photos from the world, and color in a way that puts everything together like a song. You need the pigment (or instruments) to stitch it all together.

Those of you that know the smallness of my pad understand the need to start putting some of it away. There's a fine line between showcasing a few special pieces and turning your living space into a cluttered gallery.

I'm still not giving up my gallery wall, though. A girl's gotta show off a little.