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.

The majority of the Water paintings have a darker, more moody approach. With Mira, I wanted to see how gentle I could get using a more delicate handling of the drips and runs. The background was simply washes of pale blue, with table salt added to erode away the color. This was a water color technique my mother had taught me as a child; it’s nice to know that it worked with acrylics.

At one point, I wanted the subject to be mostly obscured by snowflakes in the foreground, but I ultimately decided that “less is more.” The simpler approach proved the most effective. For me, the real challenge with this project was in trying to keep this painting as understated as possible.

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

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