Statement of Work

Medina

My focus on the human figure is not only as an outward image, but also as a means of communication. I concentrate on the ideas of gesture, not just about the figure or the body parts portrayed as an image, but also in terms of the end product of my thought process. I am interested in how the human form communicates through the use of defined and un-defined gestures. I further my exploration of my ideas of figure by using my body as a tool of creating. By using my hands in direct contact with the materials, I feel that I make the closest connection between gestural acts recording acts of gesture.

I stay as open as possible to what is considered painting and drawing. In my larger painting/drawings; large amounts of charcoal, graphite, and various combinations of acrylic gesso, gloss and matte media, and acrylic pigments are used to create the images on paper. In a continuing body of smaller works archival papers are stained with teas, inks, and painting media then to be worked over with drawing materials such as gel ink, conte, graphite, and more.  What I find most important about the materials I choose is that they remain true to my ideas of the use of figure in art, it is not only my subject, but to me a tool. In upholding my thoughts about the figure, I choose to use only heavy weight archival paper that feels of skin, this feeling is important to how I create. Touching the paper, with my hands (figure as tool), as I paint and draw is important to working towards capturing the multiplicity of gesture.

Recently I have returned to working in oils, to refresh my abilities and regain another media. In these works, the explored subject matter has been part of my education as well as my instruction. Painted on paper and oak panel, and growing out of a desire to stay fresh and spontaneous, I turned to an object that holds the ability of creating generous ranges of values and a challenging surface develop. From the surfaces of eggs, my images are created in specific lengths of time, forcing me to look more and ponder the image less. The paintings are adhered to thin oak panel that is painted in a primary color creating a sense of relief and raised finish from wooden background. In the end, the images are arranged on hardwood plaques or stained panel backings using the grain and natural colors to give warmth.

Art is something I have always done. I have been a life long observer of my environment and the objects that surround me. My needs have always been great with finding out how something is constructed, or better yet, taken apart. I am always interested in how to do something different, even if it doesn’t always work. I feel a need to gain an understanding of what and how people see. In short, I have always had a fascination with the world around me, what better way to investigate it all than as an artist.