The Elements of DMC Original Art
I live in Brooklyn, NY, and run a home-based business. With that said, my workspace is quite cozy, but I make it work. I paint mostly at night when the noise of the day has settled. I put on some music, set up my supplies, and let art happen. I am realizing that my art is elemental. I believe by now, you are aware that my creations are inspired by nature. Let’s dive into why that is…
Fire: I was born under the fire sign of Leo. I often hear from others that I don’t exhibit typical Leo behavior, but I know for sure I have the burning energy of a lioness. I use fire and heat during the process of creating art, specifically when working with resin. The heat adds value to my work, as it provides a sense of warmth, comfort, and manipulation - encouraging the resin chemical to settle on a flat surface without the sudden appearance of bubbles. My heat gun and fire torch are near my side when I feel all is said and done with the piece. Heat is the finishing touch.
Water: My moon and rising signs are water. This is a representation of my innermost feelings and the way I present myself to the world. I am like water. I am inflow. Everything I touch must have a way of connecting, merging, collaborating, meshing; a sense of community. It’s important to me that I allow my energy to dance as it pleases. Water inspires that. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always said to myself and others “I’m just going with the flow.” I understand this more and more each day. Water is grace, and a major element when it comes to my creative work. I create fluid art. I work with acrylic paints and add a bit of water to the paint as a medium that gives it a softer body, allowing me to manipulate its direction once it touches the surface of my “canvas.” Once the perfect mixture of water and acrylic paint land on the canvas, I become a child, playing with paint and water, bringing hidden memories of nature out of my subconscious and onto a set of coasters. The way the paint dances inspires me to remain inflow and is a reminder of the gratitude that I have for being inflow. It’s beautiful and calming. Imagine the feeling of effortlessly dancing on water.
Air: Take a deep breath. And again. They were not the same. Each inhale has its own journey. Each exhale is a gift to the world. My exhales serve a multi-purpose when creating art. Each exhale meets the fluid paint that sits on the coasters, and when they become acquainted, it’s like watching someone outside of me take over. Think of how the winds cause the ocean’s waves. The paint and the air from my exhales have lives of their own - I am just the orchestrator. Together, we mimic nature. We are in a universe of our own. And, when my “canvas” is too large for my own breath, I introduce a hairdryer, and she gives a dragon force of air that turns out to be the perfect amount of power that reveals a blend of beautiful and layered colors creating a vibrant and fluid effect.
Earth: I love it all - the ocean, the forest, tropical flowers, the birds, mountains, sunsets, everything. Most importantly, I am grateful for the changes the earth experiences naturally. It helps me embrace the changes in my own world. It reminds me that there is no need to force anything. It reminds me of the beauty that lies in all imperfections. I’m grateful for all of the blemishes. And what is Earth without texture? This is what inspires a third-dimensional effect to my creations. I layer coats of molding paste, shattered glass, and crystals, to give each painting its own identity, making it a true original. The process is liberating, and the result is rewarding - because I am making art that is created for interaction. Earth says, “Be gentle, be patient, be.” My art is what it is, because of what I appreciate most, nature.
Wood: My base. The coasters, trays, wall art, candle holders, etc., are all made from wood. Trees! I love trees. They provide us with so much, literally and metaphorically. My art wouldn’t be a true resemblance to nature if it were not for the ergonomic pieces of wood that are placed before me. They are the base of my work. My foundation. This work is grounding, and I’m grateful for it.
Which of the elements do you connect with most?
