Ex Nihilo

Ex Nihilo 48"x60"

This is one of my latest paintings. This was last seen at the Brookhaven College student art show.

Ex Nihilo in Latin means “out of nothing”. I am intrigued with creation narrative of different cultures. Creation narratives are one of the ways people define their role in the cosmos. They are important and defining parts of culture. This painting is not as much a creation narrative as a snapshot of the creative process.

The brushwork throughout the painting is linear; strokes going up and down in a ‘constructed’ way. I want to make it feel like the figure is being ‘put together’. Like the brushwork throughout the piece comes to fruition in the form of the figure.

Antithetical to the notion of linear construction is the circle in the background. This represents the creative force acting externally on the creative process. The figure is propelled from the circle in an almost violent creative moment. The midground drips from ‘excess’ creative product.

The creative process is not placid and calm. The creative process can be turbulent and reverberating causing repercussions as a result of the creative moment.