Healing from injury or illness is a grueling process. Nature can be one of the strongest supporters in this journey. Humans are intrinsically connected to the world around them, and by embracing this fact, they can reap invaluable benefits. This triptych portrays the progression of revitalization that occurs when one opens oneself up to nature in times of vulnerability – something I can deeply relate to. Following my surgeries, walking outside, whether in my neighborhood or nearby forests, made me feel better than any medication I was prescribed. These paintings are the final product of my experimentation with watercolor on raw wood.
Liquid watercolor and acrylic paint on wooden slabs (~20" in diameter)
This collection of images documents my experimentation with painting on real, unprocessed wood. When one of my favorite backyard trees was cut down, I preserved part of it by having three slabs (each 22" in diameter) cut from its trunk to create a triptych. I chose liquid watercolor, knowing its thin, watery pigment would flow through the wood grain and create unique patterns. Inspired by artists like Renoir, I planned my color palette digitally (shown on the top half of this slide) but quickly realized I’d have limited control over how the paint spread and dried on the wood. A major challenge was the pigment appearing much darker when wet, requiring me to “paint blind” and trust the drying process. By layering diluted colors and allowing drying time, I maintained some control over the final appearance, but I also embraced the natural flow, running the brush over the grain and letting the wood’s texture shape the outcome. Explorations such as these were the focus of my AP Studio Art portfolio.
