Patina

In “Patina,” I explore the rhythmic tension between the organic depths of the natural world and the structured, weathered marks of human presence. This large-scale oil on canvas serves as a meditation on growth and decay, where I build up thick, tactile applications of paint only to scrape them back, revealing the physical history of the piece. The composition is anchored by a lush palette of moss, sage, and deep forest greens that dominate the right side of the frame, suggesting a dense, vertical vitality.

To create a visual dialogue, I introduce bold, horizontal strokes of vibrant orange and earthy sienna on the left, cutting through the cooler tones like rusted iron or sunlight striking a brick wall. By utilizing palette knives and squeegees, I layer these colors to create a sense of architectural scaffolding, as though the viewer is looking through the remains of a structure into a thriving thicket.

The drips and feathered edges are intentional; they represent the fluid, unpredictable movement of nature as it reclaims space. For me, this work is about the beauty found in the middle ground — the place where the wild and the constructed overlap, evolve, and transform one another over time.