The Rainforest painting

I just finished my big painting. 5 feet tall and 18 feet long. Here is what I have to say about it:

First of all, this painting was truly a journey. There were good days, bad days, and just plain crazy days. Nothing was planned and the canvas truly lived a life of its own. Right when I almost lost all hope, big, bright, solid colored shapes appeared in the painting. In a way, they symbolize an essence of the process of my painting – which is accepting the unexpected.

When first given the topic of “The Politics of Place,” the rainforest was one of the first places that came to mind. I am deeply inspired by the twisted roots in the rainforest, which is what initially attracted me to this place.

I am interested in the idea that that the organic forms found in nature mimic the shapes found in the human body. I found myself drawing cellular shapes as I was interpreting the rainforest, which made me realize that there are many connections between anatomy and botany. Just as roots branch out to find nutrients, neurons branch out to find chemicals. All plants, animals, and humans are made up of the same basic material: cells. Cells are made of molecules; molecules are made of atoms; and atoms are made of energy. We are just energy. Simple.

I am deeply affected by the metaphysical energy of the rainforest. I feel as though everything is vibrating in a very powerful way. Everything feels so alive. Every little piece of the forest seems to be breathing. All the roots in the rainforest mingle into some sort of network...a community. Perhaps they all share some thoughts or feelings in some way – a sort of inner-connectedness. The rainforest is not only just alive but sentient. It’s truly a magical place.

I had to paint on a large canvas because it had to make an impact on the viewer. There is no denying that the rainforest is vast and overwhelming, completely consuming the average person. I feel lost in it. I wanted this piece to absorb the viewer in a similar way that the rainforest captivates me. I did not want to create an artwork that can easily be dismissed. I want the viewer to be compelled to look.