Littoral Earth • Interior Flow
Flow, transition, and change are the underlying commonalities for this group of abstracted landscapes. The energetic pattern of flowing lines and the muted, nature-inspired palette of the “Littoral Earth • Interior Flow” paintings call forth the resemblance between the mental and emotional states I experience intimately in deep meditation and the crashing waves along the Northern California Coast.
Stained Glass Botany Series
The Stained Glass Botany Series derives its name from the bold abstractions of the flowers and foliages that are the primary focus of the artworks in the collection. The photo-realistic botanical elements are juxtaposed with the stylized lines and colors inspired by the observations of often the same subjects. The series' usage of symbolism, color choice, and composition create a visual depth to invite the audience in for a tour of an exotic flower garden and to probe the mental boundaries between the reality and their perception of it.
I create this body of work with a combination of on-site directness and contemplative solitude. I walk along the shores of California to create visual representations of its charismatic coastline and then synthesize my meditation, experiences at the scene, and the lines and colors of the en plein air work into the paintings in my studio. The works embody a medley of internal reflections and external investigations. They are the symbols of our original enlightened mind, flowing from prehistory through the present day and into the future.
These paintings can create a liminal experience for the audience such as simultaneously in an aerial view from far above and having a close encounter with the currents of the ocean below. The organic forms and rich textures of the paintings represent both interior and exterior worlds: the dynamism of the crashing ocean waves, the transition from one emotional state to the next, and the everlasting rhythm of decay and renewal.
They are also metaphors for the shifting geopolitical power structure and the rapidly changing climate of our era. The world is always changing, but the abundance of immediate information sharing of our Internet Age makes the fact ever more present in the collective consciousness of humanity. The earth is shifting right beneath our feet, both literally and metaphorically. The “Littoral Earth • Interior Flow” paintings series is an homage to this voyage of origination, development, decay, and cessation in the symphony of existence we all share.
All images and texts on this site are copy righted to Rebecca Nie : rebex @ rebexart . com