Art Letters

11 months ago I turned 40. I knew it would bring with it some big things. Inner changes I presumed.

A few weeks ahead of this milestone birthday, I began this work, a reminder, an affirmation of the inner changes I wanted to embody, to manifest.

I began in my comfort zone. Measured. Precise. Orderly. An attempt at perfect. A shout out to the past 40.

Next, a new canvas, swapping the background for one lighter. Brighter.

While I attempted to mirror the markings made in the first canvas, this time I made no allowance for rulers, straight edges or measurements. I felt a pull to draw the lines from right to left, opposite my natural direction. My hand shook and I laughed, without deprecation, at its roughness.

All became welcome.

The straight set of lines of the first canvas seemed to pour into the new canvas, transformed.

The new lines, paths, ways, more truthful. More realistic.

More forgiving. More flowing. More 40.

While I used the same paint color for the lines on both canvases, I noticed how they appeared completely different. The new set bolder, more noticeable, as if taking up more space.

I decided to hug her corners with my brightest materials. Four corners. Four decades. A moment of gratitude to my younger versions, and a nod of brightness to come.

While I knew inner changes were to be expected, I couldn’t have predicted 40 would also bring with it the most significant external change - the recent passing of my father.

While I made this painting almost a year ago, it’s expression feels even more meaningful now. To step into the imperfect, the unpredictable, the unknown.

This is 40.

THIS IS 40
30 x 30 Acrylic on Canvas, Framed
Mont Art House

Thank you for personally connecting with me through this work.