Me, Myself & Art: Anatomy of a Painting, "Spiral"

by Courtney Hatcher

Anatomy of a Painting

Every painting has its own story.

As an artist, where I'm at emotionally drives the subject matter of my art.

Every aspect of my artwork is a choice based on what I feel best represents my emotional journey.  It is a choice based on what I believe will encourage an emotional response from my viewer.

Technical Breakdown of the Painting

The technical painting statics of "Spiral", by Courtney Hatcher.

The technical aspects of a painting are the first thing the viewer sees.

Technique is the first impression.

In an abstract painting the technical concerns are just as important as the concept behind the piece.

Painting Stats:

• Size:  11"x14"
• Acrylic on Canvas
• Painted with Natural Bristle Brushes
• Figurative
• Expressive gesture creates movement.  Building some areas of the canvas up with paint while allowing the white of the canvas to show through in others.
• The color palette consists of mostly cool tones.  Turquoise and purples, with accents of lime/yellow-green.

Concept Behind the Painting

Viewers Choice:

I want you to take a second and really look at the piece.

*Note:  The watermark of my name does not appear on the actual painting.

What do you see?  What do you feel?  What does the imagery remind you of?  What memories are stirred?  Ask yourself how the image affects you.  

What imagery do you see in the paint?  Do you see a figure?  Or multiple figures?  Male or female?  Androgynous?

Maybe it's not a figure at all.  Maybe it's a mountain range or a sunset on the beach.  Maybe it's a field of flowers viewed from far above.

This is my favorite thing about abstract art.  Every viewer sees something different.  Every individual has a unique experience that cannot be replicated.

Now that you've established what the painting means to you I want to tell you what it means to me.

Artists Thoughts:

I titled this piece "Spiral".  The title is the minimalist label that I use to represent the theme behind the emotion I was feeling when I created the piece.

In my work every emotion is double sided.  On one side it is positive.  On the other side, negative.  When conceptualizing, if I'm feeling the negative aspects of an emotion I analyze how that emotion could be flipped and transformed into its opposite.  I begin with one and let myself gradually flow into the other.  

When I created "Spiral" I was on the negative side of the emotion.

The title is exactly what I was doing.  I was spiraling.

​At that time I felt like my emotions were out of control and I was falling down a never ending corkscrew of darkness.  I was overwhelmed with how these feelings were accelerating and spreading in a seemingly endless pattern.

A close up to highlight the texture and brush strokes.

Now, when I paint I transfer all of that onto the canvas.  As I progress through the piece I can start to feel relief and see how to turn those negative thoughts into positive thoughts.

The continuous momentum I was feeling doesn't have to be downward motion.  I can decide to pull myself up instead.  The spiraling events in my life can be an opportunity.  I can choose to embrace the negative or I can use those experiences to grow and evolve.

It's all about my perspective.  How I choose to view my situation.  Is the figure in the painting falling?  Or is she pushing herself up?

Painting, for me, is therapeutic and meditative.

I attack an emotion from every angle, until I find balance.  When I feel balanced I know the painting is finished.

What did you see, feel, think, when you first saw my painting?  Share your perspective!  I would love to know your experience with my work.