BA, Art (Studio Arts – Painting & Drawing)

cmeyerrainford2002@gmail.com

Artist Statement

In this series, I explore how different mediums and application techniques can evoke emotions and set the mood of a piece. The paintings range from experimental explorations to more deliberate scenes that capture specific feelings. The “8-Ball” series served as a central point of my project, challenging me to break away from familiar painting habits. Through blotching, square, and squiggly brushstrokes, I experimented with additives like linseed oil for fluidity and cold compress wax for texture. This repetition allowed me to master the 8-ball’s form and investigate how subtle shifts in color and technique can alter the emotional tone. For example, mixing more yellow into the blue background to create a greener pool table or adding purples and reds to the 8-ball itself introduced new moods and layers of expression. Other pieces like “Redlight” use a limited palette of red, black, and yellow to evoke the warmth of an incandescent light. “Bar Ambience” balances circular and angular elements, activating negative space and contrasting shapes to create tension and movement. “Fall Leaves” captures the slow, beautiful decline of the season with earthy yellows, browns, and reds, focusing on subtle highlights to bring the scene to life. I aim to embrace imperfections and raw, expressive strokes that feel honest. This approach invites viewers to connect with the subtle shifts in color and texture, challenging them to experience familiar subjects in new, emotive ways.