2011 Figurative Work Continued: New Explorations in Memory and Emergence

As I delve deeper into my figurative series this year, I find myself revisiting themes of memory and fragmentation. My latest piece, an untitled acrylic on wood (24" x 48"), embodies this exploration with its deliberately unfinished quality.

The composition features a female figure emerging from a moody, atmospheric background. I've employed a limited palette of muted teals, deep viridians, and cool grays, allowing the warm undertones of the wood substrate to peek through in places. This interplay between cool and warm tones creates a sense of depth and visual tension.

My approach to this piece was intuitive and gestural. Bold, expressive brushstrokes define the figure's form, while areas of scumbling and glazing in the background evoke a sense of haziness – much like the elusive nature of memory itself. The texture is varied, with areas of impasto contrasting against smoother, more translucent passages.

Compositionally, I've been wrestling with the balance of the piece. The right side of the background remains in flux; I'm contemplating introducing lighter values to create more contrast and draw the eye. Interestingly, I've found that a cropped detail of the painting feels more resolved, prompting me to reconsider the overall composition.

This work, along with others in this series, explores the concept of figures emerging from nebulous backgrounds. It's a visual metaphor for the way memories surface from the depths of our consciousness – sometimes clear, sometimes frustratingly indistinct.

As I continue to refine this piece, I'm embracing its unfinished state as part of the creative process. It serves as a reminder that our understanding of the past, like a painting in progress, is constantly evolving and open to reinterpretation.