This is a painting from my The Velvet Darkness series. Inspired by the Jungian concept of 'the shadow self', this series... Read More
This is a painting from my The Velvet Darkness series. Inspired by the Jungian concept of 'the shadow self', this series explores the subconscious and hidden aspects of oneself that have yet to be recognized or explored.
In his book, Modern Man in Search of a Soul, Jung elucidates how understanding the shadow self leads to psychic health. Indeed, many artists seek to express and work with their psyche through abstract expressive painting, and automatism is one of the most common processes to do so.
With this desire to paint from an unconscious state, I did not plan anything aside from a rough composition guide. My colour choices, layering, and mark making were all intuitive and automatic, responding to my feelings in the moment and what my intuition was saying. The process was cathartic and expressive and gave me a feeling of freedom and self- connection. The result is a dramatic, striking painting full of dynamism and intrigue. The success of this process has inspired me to explore 'painting as performance'.
