Brush Stroke Meditations
Peaceful Protest Flags and Brush Stroke Meditations, 2020
digital video (silent)
4 minutes 44 seconds
Brush Stroke Meditations in Rainbow Colors 2022
Black Hole Series/ Studies for a triptych screen
Each panel is 16" x 20"
Hand-painted with iridescent silkscreen ink.
My new work focuses on the continuation of a creative process I call Brush Stroke Meditations. I work at slowing down my overactive mind by appreciating the physical and mental act of painting one line at a time. This process helps me to live in the present moment. Each line is a free-flowing gesture of its own that does not touch the one next to it but is essential to the creation of the whole image. I find the repetition of this process comforting. The painted lines slowly build up to a composition where decisions are continually being made at the moment. I work toward creating an image that will move my senses and pique my curiosity upon viewing.
Each painting took me between fifteen to twenty hours of paint stroke meditation to complete. While painting these studies I found my thoughts moving to worldly concerns of control, climate, the lack of gun control, and human rights issues. This summer a majority of our Supreme Court has ruled a very different view on these matters than I believe are helpful for our society. I continue to be worried about what rulings may come down next. I feel that the black holes that exist in my paintings give the eye a place to rest in the composition as well as give the viewer a venture to reflect on its possible meaning.
Privilege Painting, 2020
Sewn scroll of sheer black fabric. Hand-painted with iridescent silkscreen ink,
53" x 15"
Falling 2021
Three sewn panels of sheer black fabric, hand-painted with iridescent silkscreen ink. Inspired by visiting the bottom of the Bridal Veil Falls at Niagara Falls State Park.
Each panel 69”x 24”
Three Circles, Cool, Warm, and Neutral thoughts on Climate 2022
Hand-painted with iridescent silkscreen ink.
10” diameter on Acaciawood circles
While working on these projects, I find that my waterfall subject matter raises questions of universal concerns: The awesome and sometimes overwhelming feeling of uplift I experience when in the presence of an actual waterfall. The creation of natural energy when harnessing its power into electricity. The devastation of too much or not enough water on the plant due to global warming/ climate change. Water is our body’s principal chemical component making up 50-70% of our body weight. About 75% of the earth is covered in water. Water is life and deserves respect and protection just like people. All people are made of water and deserve respect and protection.
Peaceful Protest Flags 2020
Seven handmade flags of sheer black fabric, each hand-painted with iridescent ink.
2'6" x 8' x 2'
Paintings for a Puppet Show, 2020
Five panels of sheer black fabric. Each hand-painted with iridescent silkscreen ink. (photo of puppet stage with hands as characters coping with climate change).
Each panel 27" x 9"
BC Robbins
Art Studio