It all begin simply without any complexities, while beginning to prep panels for a show. First, the plentiful thought bubbles began like when you were a child and cracked open a new bottle of bubbles with a pink wand tucked under the surface. The thought bubbles were non-stop. I thought of living back in my childhood home in Leaside. I thought of beginning the practice of art, over four decades ago right here in my studio today. I thought of how I write about truths. And then it all came together like when bubbles find each other high in the air above and attach creating a spectacle of colours.
A big rainbow thought bubble revealed to me a conundrum I had been thinking on. My thoughts were on how could I transfer writing about how truth to painting about truth. I had much feedback from my writing regarding writing with vulnerability and truth, people like an honest true story. The challenge was what could symbolize and represent truth in my paintings. Although it was obvious to me in that moment it had been rather elusive like a toad happily nestled deep in a flower bed on a wet rainy day. To paint truth in my paintings I would use colour. Colour will represent truth in my new collection of paintings titled, True Colours.
Being a naturally happy, positive and free spirited person guides me towards my colour palette which always delights my senses. This is how the colour experience concept was formed beginning with my own senses coming alive from my own colour palette. My colours are saturated bright pinks, crisp oranges and vivid blues. I began painting with varying values of each hue developing hints of depth and evoking a breathability within the painting through dry brush strokes, a sense of free spirit if you will. I began to feel as if my painting was me, like a glorious self portrait the only difference was I was only using colour and circular form rather than brushstrokes of realism in human form.
New to these paintings is a circular form within each painting. The circle depicting my life coming full circle this year at the beautiful age of fifty. It is my mid life mark, a time in life I had planned to come back with dedication to my painting practice. Although my pathway here has been nothing like my original plan I am here none the less. My full circle also includes living back in my lovely childhood home where I began my life’s practice of art. In fact my studio was once my childhood bedroom. The loving room where I did all my early in life drawings and paintings with my memorable box of vibrant Crayola crayons on thick pads of multi coloured construction paper.
My full circle theme continues in March, as I have been included in a local show in Leaside at the Arts Alchemy East. Instead of teaching art to young children in Leaside I am now exhibiting my art, which is such a delightful and rewarding experience. If I didn’t think there was a full circle I would have given it a second thought when my painting pieces were due to the gallery on my birthday.
This show is called the Pi Art Squared Show and we are painting on tondos which are a circular panel. Thus I began to think in circles which lead me to thinking about my life coming full circle. This series will explore the circular form in a free form organic manner. I am also using the circle to depict my life living with chronic illness from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis and disability. The small circle representing my small elusive energy stores I live with daily, as well as a larger outer circular ring to represent my shield used to protect my energy. The colour palette bright to represent my happy positive demenour. These paintings have truly become a painting of my true colours.
My brain on art has led me back to my deep and thought provoking thinking. This collection of paintings True Colours excites me to my deepest core. I have been awaiting a series of paintings that represent me, who I am authentically. True colours are those paintings. I am here.
Jane Holden - Contemporary Artist 