Diamonds & Rust

As with most of my paintings, when I began this one I didn’t have a plan, other than knowing I wanted to create something bold and strong that embraced the tension of light and darkness and the dualities of density and bright transparency; something that would feel fresh yet unresolved. I wanted a surface large enough to enable me to use my whole body to make sweeping marks and brushstrokes. Compelled by my love of rusted and eroded surfaces, I added bits of rusted metal and used, broken slate as a final touch. The title chose me. Joan Baez’s lyrics…”we know what memories can bring, they bring diamonds and rust” popped into my head. Those words say so much.