Forming No. 8

This oil painting, Forming No. 8, is part of my Forming Series where I explore the wave’s apex. Its color was inspired by this summer’s vivid clear green water. I am drawn to the water’s meditative qualities, knowing its character has been formed by countless powerful forces from the past. I portray the wave's peak in a calm state, offering a sensual quietude while inviting curiosity. Simple organizing compositions gently shut off the outside world. Richly saturated colors invite us in. Water's reflections and translucency hint at what has been and what is ahead. Along with these calming visual elements, I equate the wave's formation to our present moment. We, like the waves are forged by endless factors in our past; the wave's allure helps us to envision a future of hope and beauty.

My process of oil painting relies on close observation and a mental synthesis of how water works. I then transform this understanding using traditional and digital sketching techniques, followed by value and color studies. The overall objective is to capture that transfixed point in time.