The Coastal Collection is derived on the concepts of space, tranquility and escapism to bring peace and provide rest. With picturesque coasts imagined, I used shapes, glazing and color shifts to compose abstract forms and scenes that evoke a familiar feeling. Coastal headlands, sea stacks, towering cliffs and rock fragments drove many of the concepts behind this collection. See what inspired this collection and some behind-the-scenes below:
Shown above is the Hideaway original painting from the Coastal collection. The impetus for this collection was this handful of stones I found on a beach in South Haven, Michigan.
The concepts for my paintings are usually based on my past experiences in nature, but with this collection I imagined picturesque coasts that I've never seen in person. I imagined places I'd want to go to. Those images were probably in my subconscious from photos and videos I've come across, but where they came from I don't know. It wasn't until after I finished the paintings that I tried to find images of coasts that resembled what I thought of, and to my surprise the Oregon coast was almost exactly what I had in mind, although I've never been there.
In The Coastal Collection, the coarse, natural silhouettes of rock formations are honored, the soft hues conjure a quiet calmness, and the negative space provides a moment to breathe. With each work, I aspired to achieve a sense of serenity, harmony and stillness.
