Faculty Wall — Stacey Nelson

Artist’s Statement

These two pieces came about because I was interested in experimenting with fluid painting. At the beginning of this year,  I had the opportunity to take a class on this technique and then bought supplies to continue on my own. 

I immediately relaxed into the playful process of moving the paint without use of a brush and letting cells of color bubble up from layers of paint.  Of letting go and letting the paint move freely with minimal pre-planning.

My art therapy intern and I had intended to create a series of fluid paintings together.  It was to be response art to exciting work we were doing with a pair of students at the special education school where I spent five days of my week for the past eight years, until March 13, 2020.

That plan was put on hold when the pandemic hit. Right now, I don’t know if we will ever revisit our idea for this joint artmaking.  

These are two of the first fluid paintings I created.  When I look at them now, I see a distinct “Before.”  

I made these paintings on March 8, 2020, when I didn’t suspect the impact of a global pandemic.  Quarantine.  Telehealth Art Therapy.  Being separated from loved ones.  My father-in-law dying without anyone holding his hand. Anxiety. Grief.  Uncertainty. Face masks.

These paintings are visual reminder of my life right before this historical stop movement of ordinary life.  Hope sustains that there will be a return to the fun and the lyrical rhythm felt in the moments of letting the paint move on its own.

Acrylic Paint on Canvas