grace works art by Michelle Grace
For the past more than 40 years, my work life has followed two parallel tracks.
Professionally, I’ve had careers focused on service work: psychotherapist, somatic psychotherapy educator, psychiatric nurse and graphic designer.
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At the same time, I’ve followed a variety of artistic paths through photography, oil painting, ceramics, sculpting, pastels, acrylic painting and collage.
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Abstract painting is a surprise to me. It is as though an invisible thread pulled me from everything I had painted, from still life and portraits in my 30’s to more recent landscapes, clouds and ocean scenes … to this world without recognizable form.
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Color washes paint translucent layers on canvas. As layers build up, the color deepens, becomes richer and where it overlaps creates a myriad of other brilliant colors.
How fun to approach a clean canvas with no idea of how it will evolve.
This is certainly “being in the moment”!
Entrancement
43"x54_2023
This other worldly vision is a place that seems to exist somewhere in another universe. Dreamy and full of Light.
Disembogue
48" x 68" 2021
Beginning on a large canvas can be intimidating. I begin with no clear idea of where I am going. So, this was a surprise to me, a delightful to find a meeting place. Abstract is often just following a momentary impulse. I love the brilliant colors and what it moves inside me.
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Reciprocation
36" x 48"
This diptych began with paint drips creating a natural flow. My hope is that the movement works to feel coherent and animate. These are some of my favorite colors because they are so brilliant and alive. Since abstract painting is very in-the-moment, each choice is based on what is there and where the image wants to go. I often feel like I don’t know what I am doing - but it seems to happen and evolve and become whole.