Water is vital for life. Water is in continuous motion. Water cycles through evaporation, condensation, precipitation. Water heals. Water… erodes.

Water is an experimental series of paintings. The human narrative is still there, but the subjects are now interconnected with this additional elemental force. As paint is applied to the canvas, the water will deteriorate that same paint and wash it away. Colors bleed, the subjects are obscured, and the water brings an extension of emotion. As with all my works, I ask the viewer to bring their own interpretation to each painting, and create a new and unique story each time the work is viewed.

Kendra was an absolute experiment. At this point, I felt comfortable using a wetter approach to my acrylics, but I was still hung up on how I might apply that to a portrait. The first half of the painting was fun, but I was still feeling a bit stiff with the progress being made. When I approached the piece a week later, I decided to throw caution to the wind and just have fun. The paint and drips went everywhere.

In the end, I’m still not entirely satisfied with this piece. To my eyes it still feels a bit… forced. I loved the process, though, and I learned so much by going through it. It paved the way for far more effective pieces to follow.

Kendra
Acrylic on canvas
20 x 30 inches
Painted 2015 by Matt Cauley

See below for a full gallery of the In-Progress Painting: