What inspired this award-winning painting?
It was inspired by a photo I saw in an old edition of National Geographic magazine. It featured two men sitting in front of a laptop near an abandoned gas station. The perspective fascinated me. I wondered what the people were thinking and why the station was abandoned.
How did your idea develop from there?
My goal was to convey how economic instability can create chaos in people’s lives. I exaggerated color, line, and shapes to create that sense of chaos. I also made the laptop a focal point. The people are prominent in the foreground, looking at the laptop and how the economy is affecting them in the present. I added the eyes beyond the laptop as a secondary focal point. The eyes are sad and weary but still hold hope for the future.
What was your working process?
I found a piece of 4’ x 3’ wood in my dad’s garage to use as a canvas. I sketched out the composition with pencil. Then I started painting with acrylics. I began with the darkest colors, blocking out the background and the gas station. Then I spent hours painting the figures, working on details like the folds in their clothing. The neon arch was one of the last things I added. I went over the black with white so the neon colors would pop. I painted the curvy lines and zigzag lines, and used varnish to exaggerate the texture on the parts of the wood panel that I left unpainted.
Why is geometry important in this painting?
I used a rectangular pattern on the floor to create depth and add perspective. The jagged lines above refer to fluctuations in the stock market. The rounded lines guide the viewer’s eye and express the fluidity of the world. We can have something one minute and nothing the next. I wanted to show how everything is connected and how the economy affects the well-being of the world.
What advice do you have for aspiring artists like yourself?
Stay true to your style so your art will reflect your personality.