Tatiana O.

Simple Things

Curatorial Rationale

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My theme is appreciating simplicity. Over the lockdown, I was given a break from the fast paced world and spent more time at the farm with my family. The experience taught me how to slow down and appreciate the simple beauties the world had to offer, like how the sky’s colors change in the afternoon, the morning sunshine, flocks of birds, or tall trees. During that time, there was not much I could do or go to, but I was content and relaxed. Paintings of Vincent Van Gogh, Claude Monet, and Pierre Bonnard attracted me. I loved the way they used colors that were soft to the eye and painted scenes that were simple yet captivating because of their choice of colors and rough strokes that blended when you looked from afar. They usually painted everyday scenes or ones they found beautiful in the past. With that, I wanted to create paintings with a similar theme and style. I admired the way their work made me feel ‘at home’, and I wanted to make my audience feel the same way. I painted landscapes, a still life, and subjects in restful positions, with similar strokes and unified colors, to allow my audience to appreciate the beauty in these simple scenes. 

Acrylic and canvas were used as the medium for my paintings except for ‘Cypresses’, which was made with oil paint. I preferred those mediums because it allowed me to create the texture and color intensity I wanted. I believe my chosen artworks fulfill my intention of appreciating simplicity. The combination of realistic forms, yet a rough texture and a stylized choice of colors, create pieces that feel more familiar and subtly give off the desired emotions. My paintings are arranged by color, with the warmer tones on the left, and the cooler tones on the right. It was arranged that way for aesthetic purposes so that the colors change gradually and does not disrupt the restful ambiance of the entire collection. It’s a simple and pleasing arrangement, and that goes with my theme of appreciating simplicity.