The Evolution of a Goddess

“A painting is never finished – it simply stops in interesting places” Paul Gardner

Recently I reworked "Goddess", a piece I had started in late 2023, but thought I had finished in early 2024. Even then, it underwent a transformation that I didn't see coming but that made it 1000x more successful (scientifically speaking). 

When I first painted the background, I opted for shades of pale green and pink before painting the flower-laden branches I used for the support structures. It was a soft effect, and I decided to move on to the puzzling stage where I began to add the collage elements. I knew the goddess herself would be the anchor for this one, and places the supporting characters around her. I liked the composition and committed. 

And then I HATED it. It was giving Miami airport vibes that I really didn't appreciate, and it just felt wrong. And so, I took on the tedious task of changing the background color: I painted carefully around ALL the branches, AND the flowers, AND the characters. It was super annoying, and I was frustrated that I didn't see it before I had glues everything down. 

However, it created an opportunity to give the goddess the attention she deserved because the paint I was using was very transparent, and so required many layers, which allowed me to create a glow emanating from her, elevating her to her true status.

It was an effect I would not have imagined had it not been for the tribulations I had to go through to get there. It finally felt right.

When I began to paint the unfinished edges of my works with accent colors this year, I pulled her out to work on, and there was one little trouble spot that I had only noticed after I had professional photos taken, but that bothered me ever since. Since I was painting the edge, I might as well fix that spot too.

I can finally, proudly say that "Goddess" has stopped in the most interested place she will ever be. She has reached her pinnacle, and is ready to be worshipped. 

She will be on display at the UVA McIntire School of Commere from March 17th through June 16th of this year and is available for purchase here.