This painting is an ode to le lac bleu d’Arolla in Switzerland.
During the summer of 2020, two friends and I went on an excursion to le lac bleu. The sunshine invited us to escape, just for a moment, from our engineering student lives.
The view was breathtaking and seemed surreal. The intense turquoise water shimmered like crystal in the heart of the mountains. Being surrounded by mountains and trees provided a sense of safety. It felt like nature was protecting us in this whimsical refuge.
Photos from that day bring back the memories of the fresh air and the soothing sound of water cascading into the lake. I wanted to capture the serenity of the scenery that day. The only sign of movement in this landscape is the splashing water at the bottom of the canvas. This contrasts the rest of the painting, which has more of a suspended-in-time feeling.
During my painting sessions, I often put on music. Songs by singer-songwriter Noah Kahan have often accompanied me. One session ended with his song "The View Between Villages". The track has a nostalgic tone and introspective lyrics. It oscillates between melancholy and letting go. But deep down has a message of hope and resolution of inner conflict, even if the past always remains a part of who we are.
