Float

            For all of my life I have felt a very strong connection with water. With this piece, I wanted to explore my relationship with this element, specifically focusing on my memories about it and feelings toward it. I also wanted to do a piece that focuses on my recent personal growth from past experiences and fears.

I have always been interested in astrology and all the elements of having a cancer zodiac sign, which is also a water sign. I have always identified heavily with all of the attributes of the cancer sign, especially its position as a water symbol. Water signs, like cancer, are very in tune with emotions and imagination and I feel this is true for me.

http://astrology.about.com/od/foundations/p/WaterElement.htm

I have also always enjoyed learning about the creatures of the sea and loved the idea of mermaids since I was a little girl. I like how mermaids are depicted in art and have drawn several myself before. I wanted to draw myself in the style that I often draw other.




I was inspired by the art of one my favorite painters, Charmaine Olivia. She paints women in a way that exudes power and confidence. I also love her use of color and how she infuses a sense of mysticism and spirituality into her pieces. With the posing of my body and the way I painted the water I tried to infuse elements from Charmaine Olivia’s work.

                                    

            I wanted to showcase the transformative nature of water and rebirth connotations it has, but also show its power and strength. While I love the water, I also realize that it is a force that commands respect. My sophomore year of high school I lost my dad when he passed way from drowning while snorkeling. Since then, I have been extremely afraid of the power of the ocean.  My biggest fear is now drowning and my relationship to water has changed drastically. I still have a connection to water, but it is just a different connection now.

            While my style was influenced by Charmaine Olivia’s work, my subject matter was influenced by Frida Kahlo. Although my piece looks nothing like a Frida Kahlo piece, I took my narrative elements from her work. I love so many of Frida’s pieces because many of the stories they tell. I like that many of her pieces talk about her accident and subsequent health problems without being overly obvious about it. Even though you might not be able to tell from looking at my piece, it has a narrative element about my father’s death. By coming out of the water in the piece, I am trying to showcase my own transformation and growth. This symbolizes me stepping forward from my father’s passing and the issues I had with him and moving forward and embracing my fears.