3D Journey: Expanding Creative Process is about pushing the boundaries of our artistic practice. This can begin with imagining. For my “In the Beginning Series,” I imagined the world as it began. Beauty springing forth from nothing. Time nonexistent and then existing. Liminality birthed. I then made several attempts at recreating it: what happened “in the beginning.” The first piece, Genesis 1, was intended to be five individual sculptures of angels in a series (to meet an ECVA call’s requirement for 5-7 pieces of work) culminating in a final piece incorporating all the angels poised around a glowing “new earth.” I was dissatisfied with the “angels.” They were too “fairy like.” Although, perhaps they (these dark angels) are reminiscent of the “Night” that came first and the “darkness (that) was upon the face of the deep?” And, perhaps, the arrangement of my dark angels speaks of the “dark part” when “God divided the light from the darkness?” I wasn’t reaching for the “dark part,” though. Hence, I created three more sculptures: this time adjusting the wings, color, and enhancements to capture the “light” I imagined bursting forth “in the beginning.” Genesis 2, Genesis 3, and Genesis 4 incorporated my three angels into different “lighter” interpretations of Earth’s beginning. Genesis 1-4 are all lit by LED lights within a glowing “Earth” (the round orb in the center of each of the four sculptures) for “Let there be light” and the moment “God divided the light from the darkness.” Genesis 2-4 are lit by blue LED lights to show the earth’s waters when the “Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters” and “the gathering together of the waters called the Seas.” The butterflies in all four pieces are a reference to “Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life” and “that may fly above the earth.” While Earth’s beginning in Genesis 1 was birthed by God, He was unfathomable for me to represent in any tangible form, so I chose to depict angels instead- as God’s emissaries. Perhaps not Biblical, but the idea of angels draws me towards God, so He might say they are “good” enough? Genesis 1-4 are all on rotating bases made from wood and stained to appear as though covered in water. The finish on the “Lazy Susans” also looks like clouds or sky: a nice surprise and fitting for my intent. I have spent most of my life painting, but my new explorations in sculpture allowed me to capture more of what I imagine when I read Genesis 1. My favorite 3D part of all these pieces is the “glow.” The use of literal “light” (for me) captures a greater sense of God’s presence and power “in the beginning.” 3D Journey: Expanding Creative Process was a journey of discovery on which light, form, and dimension drove me to incorporate new artistic practices into my present creative process.
My recent journeys in 3D have been an adventure, but I am seeing that it’s an adventure that’s just getting started. The most important lesson I have learned from “3D Journey: Expanding Creative Process” is “keep pushing the boundaries of your creative process.” As I encourage you, I encourage myself in the act of never settling for what’s comfortable and familiar. We can try new processes and materials. We can explore new artistic disciplines. In these acts, we expand our experience, and we give the world a chance to see something new: something unique- that no one has ever seen or experienced before.
Click Here to See Genesis 4 on Exhibition
Click Here to See Genesis 1-4 on Exhibition
Click Here to Read About Genesis 1-4 in the Episcopal Journal
Click here to learn more about the creative journey at journeyoncanvas.com
