Beyond the Grid
Description
Beyond the Grid began with an unexpected discovery at an estate sale. Leaning against a wall was a large decorative canvas print—ivory in color with a raised geometric grid that immediately caught my attention. I wasn't drawn to the image that was on it; I was captivated by what it could become. It had no signature, no documented history—just a mass-produced piece that had once decorated someone's home. Rather than see it discarded and eventually end up in a landfill, I chose to give it a new life. My vision was to create something that felt organic, emerging from a structured foundation. The flowers push beyond the grid, symbolizing growth beyond limitations, expectations, and old patterns. They represent the idea that beauty and transformation often emerge when we move beyond the boundaries that once defined us. I selected a vibrant palette of blues, violets, pinks, and warm oranges to evoke resilience, energy, and courage. The original raised grid became an integral part of the composition, enhanced with graphite to emphasize its presence while allowing it to remain a quiet reminder of the painting's past. Layer upon layer of acrylic glazes created depth and luminosity, while pieces of mulberry paper were embedded throughout the surface, building texture and suggesting fragments of memory woven into the work. Flowing alcohol ink lines soften the rigid geometry, allowing organic movement to spill freely across the surface. Repurposed corrugated cardboard was incorporated as an additional mixed-media element, reinforcing the painting's central idea: that what has been overlooked or discarded can be transformed into something meaningful and beautiful. Beyond the Grid is ultimately about renewal—the belief that our past provides the foundation for growth, but it does not have to define where we go next.