Stepping Into the River Again for the First Time

Mary Rossing

mixed media

“My current work combines acrylic and mixed media, including collage, pencil, crayon and graphite. Elements are built up or scraped back over numerous sessions. Initial layers are active and playful with subsequent layers moving slower and with more intention. I sometimes begin with a direction in mind but this inevitably changes as the surface evolves and informs new paths. Currently my process seems to be intent on recalling observations from time spent outdoors. These remembered landscapes are not specific to place or event but rather a compilation of moments that have resonated with me from time in the woods, floating on water, traversing a field or hiking to higher elevation. These random memories are now invited to reappear in a new narrative, revealing tangled undergrowth, marsh lands, bodies of water, riverbeds or fields. Often, I find myself moving from denser spaces toward openings. The process becomes a walk–with no predetermined destination but with opportunity to reengage with the land. This abstract intuitive approach holds a great capacity for metaphor. As shapes, colors, textures, and marks begin to suggest recognizable elements in the landscape they simultaneously evoke an emotional response. The painting process is about discovery, similar to how I enjoy moving through the land. The energy differs depending on which part of myself I bring–always evolving and multi-layered—and I never know which interaction will be the most impactful. ”

---

Size: 24″ x 36″
Price: $850

Contact aprilhc@eauclaire.lib.wi.us for details.