GESTURES OF THE EARTH

Earth Painting Series: 1980 - Present

Incarnation of the Feminine Force
Earth (from Chama riverbed, New Mexico) and mixed media on canvas, 132" x 54" x 3 1/2 ", 1996.

Textural paintings created from earth and traditional painting mediums. The light reflectivity of these works varies over the surface of the painting: the earthen, textured areas absorb more light than the glazed canvas areas. The color of these works is informed by the tones of the earth used in the painting. The earth is often applied heavily, rising above the level of the primed canvas. The physical landscapes where the earth was collected impart their particular character to each painting.

In this series of paintings the actions of throwing paint and earth and moving it around with hands on the canvas serve as a conduit for the earth’s voice, giving expression through the pure energy and simple gestures of matter.

These images speak to our human experience of life on earth. The colors in these works are the pure tones of the matter collected from the landscape.

The locations where the earth was collected impart their particular character to each painting.

The earth has been offered to the painting in a sacred manner. Intention was set to achieve a healing communication of pure gesture for exposure and reflection on what it means to be a human on earth.