artist statement
A quest for answers to the "big questions" led me on many adventures that, among
other things, evolved into the study of modern physics, ancient Vedic science,
comparative mythology and human psychology. A fascination with the Earth and
physical laws of nature brings me to work in multiple media, integrating resources such
as wood, ash, clay, glass, metal, water, etc. The spontaneity of paint and emotional
power of color allow a certain expression of my humanity as well as the numinous and
elusive connection to spirit. My methods continue to evolve out of observations of
physical forces at play in the world, which I then draw upon during the creative
process, employing, for example, gravity, flow, osmosis, erosion, friction, collision,
creation and destruction.
I call my current series "Snapshots of the Phenomenal World." Each painting begins
with a practice of mindfulness and is driven by spontaneous, now-centered
mark-making and layering. Within the dialog, I respond to emerging imagery,
moment-by-moment, sometimes painting with the artist's hand and brush, but just as
often allowing outside forces like gravity and erosion to play fundamental roles in the
emergence of form and pattern. Within this dance of discovery, I may begin to carve
or erode what has come to exist. I am following trails of creation and destruction and
recreation of form. The individual character of each piece literally evolves over time as
the original ground, ingredients and actions become an entity. The edges of the canvas
have become important as record-keeping for each piece. A look around the edge is
like an excavation revealing some of its buried history.
A "finished" artwork, then, is my chronicle of a place and time period, my action,
interaction and exploration within the context of the piece, and, inevitably, my
contemplations of divinity, the mystery of life, the spirit that animates everything, the
miracle of birth and the inescapable finality of death. I am often asked how I know
when a painting is particular end product is just where I decided I like this view and it's
a fine place to stop for a while. For me, it's like how family snapshots are stills in the
never-ending stream of time that just happens to include my life.
A quest for answers to the "big questions" led me on many adventures that, among
other things, evolved into the study of modern physics, ancient Vedic science,
comparative mythology and human psychology. A fascination with the Earth and
physical laws of nature brings me to work in multiple media, integrating resources such
as wood, ash, clay, glass, metal, water, etc. The spontaneity of paint and emotional
power of color allow a certain expression of my humanity as well as the numinous and
elusive connection to spirit. My methods continue to evolve out of observations of
physical forces at play in the world, which I then draw upon during the creative
process, employing, for example, gravity, flow, osmosis, erosion, friction, collision,
creation and destruction.
I call my current series "Snapshots of the Phenomenal World." Each painting begins
with a practice of mindfulness and is driven by spontaneous, now-centered
mark-making and layering. Within the dialog, I respond to emerging imagery,
moment-by-moment, sometimes painting with the artist's hand and brush, but just as
often allowing outside forces like gravity and erosion to play fundamental roles in the
emergence of form and pattern. Within this dance of discovery, I may begin to carve
or erode what has come to exist. I am following trails of creation and destruction and
recreation of form. The individual character of each piece literally evolves over time as
the original ground, ingredients and actions become an entity. The edges of the canvas
have become important as record-keeping for each piece. A look around the edge is
like an excavation revealing some of its buried history.
A "finished" artwork, then, is my chronicle of a place and time period, my action,
interaction and exploration within the context of the piece, and, inevitably, my
contemplations of divinity, the mystery of life, the spirit that animates everything, the
miracle of birth and the inescapable finality of death. I am often asked how I know
when a painting is particular end product is just where I decided I like this view and it's
a fine place to stop for a while. For me, it's like how family snapshots are stills in the
never-ending stream of time that just happens to include my life.
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| All artwork and images on this site are Copyright 1996-2009 by Tara O'Siochain, all rights reserved. |
| www.tarafineart.com |
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