Description of Work

Self Portrait - 2021 - Acrylic & Holbein Acryla Gouache on panel, 16x24" - Not for Sale

Homo Bulla Est - 2020 - Acrylic & Holbein Acryla Gouache on panel, 8x8" - Not for Sale

Songbird Triptych - 2021 - Acrylic & Holbein Acryla Gouache on panel, 16x24" - Not for Sale

Devil's Bolete - 2021 - Acrylic & Holbein Acryla Gouache on canvas, 8x10" - Not for Sale

Poppies & Anemones - 2021 - Acrylic & Holbein Acryla Gouache on paper, 18x24" - Not for Sale

Lovers' Eyes - 2021 - Acrylic & Holbein Acryla Gouache on paper, 6x5" - Not for Sale

Attacus Atlas - 2020 - Acrylic & Holbein Acryla Gouache on panel, 8x10" - Not for Sale

Dead Man's Fingers - 2021 - Acrylic & Holbein Acryla Gouache on canvas, 11x14" - Not for Sale

Artist's Statement

I am interested in exploring my own perception of “self”. This entire body of work is very personal and acts as an ambiguous self-portrait. Using a blend of Renaissance and Pre-Raphaelite aesthetics, these paintings create beautiful and heavily-detailed spaces that abruptly contrast with growing nothingness. The preliminary process is as essential as the finished pieces. Allowing previous layers of colors to work in conjunction with what is seen at the surface level is a valuable example of the pieces continually building off themselves. Underlying themes include mortality, nostalgia, and the beauty of impermanence.

It can be argued that no one created art about confronting death and the fragility of existence better than Renaissance artists. Vanitas, the Latin word for vanity, is the genre of still life painting predominant in 17^th century Netherlands that displays luscious compositions full of symbolic references to the delicateness of human existence, the inevitability of death, and the vanity that comes with indulging in transient earthly pleasures. This artwork is to encourage looking for the pleasures in life and enjoying and appreciating the moments that make one feel. Though dark times and loss are unavoidable, we have been given this opportunity to live. One should choose to see the light in something, no matter how big or small, every day.

If you wish to purchase any of these pieces, please contact the gallery director, Jacqueline Nathan (jnathan@bgsu.edu.)