I document my work not for these post-worthy purposes, but I like to snap an in progress pic so I can refer to it at any time throughout the day. This allows me to easily "step back" and view it from a perspective that I can't always in my studio.
This piece started out as an abstracted skate park my that my painter friend, Craig Anderson sent to me. I was so in love with the awkward shapes the park formed and how they merged with the organic landscape around it. I was really happy with how my process was working with these shapes, but I was unsettled by my feeling that I needed make this piece more representational. So as I lived with it for a few days, something told me it was now upside down.
What was sky to me became water, and the awkward concrete shapes against a field, became layers of land and mountains against a white sky. This was feeling like a place I wanted to exist in for a while. But after a while, nothing was drawing me closer and I wanted to leave.
So a structure was added and the atmosphere against the dark hills cause me to be way more interested in what this place would be... And just when I though I was landing somewhere. A wave hit and washed it all away.
This rollercoaster ride that is the process is emotionally draining. And sometimes washing it away just feels good. But the layers are there. The history is always there.
Jerkwater Grave 36" x 48" Acrylic and ink on canvas
I have recurring dreams of Tsunamis. Most recently: I was on a beach and I saw the wave forming like usual with these dreams. This time, there was a glass structure right on the beach, so I went in and closed the door. The wave hit, and bodies crashed against the glass as I watched.
But, I was safe.
- Haley Cavotta