Tiny Composition #15-23 by Ellen Thomson

My paintings have largely been influenced by places I've traveled to, including Iceland, Norway, and Ireland. When visiting an unfamiliar place, I try to collect a visual vocabulary that will be referenced later. Symbols are abstracted from surrounding nature and include anything from volcanic craters and waterfalls, to rocks or seeds from a milkweed pod. I rely on memory and the way a place makes me feel when I paint. I use icons and patterns that are carried over from previous work while occasionally adding fresh imagery. I try not to have a specific idea in mind when beginning a painting, instead, using intuition to guide me. The process involves adding/layering/subtracting colors and constantly fighting the urge to do what's familiar. It can be a challenge to know when a painting is finished, but over time, I've learned to trust the process. I also have to be willing to let go and start over. Having this freedom allows me to take risks which lead to more unpredictable and interesti