One of the subjects I'm exploring through my work is the relationship between memory and learning. I'm intrigued by the "two steps forward, one step back" style of learning and skill acquisition that my daughter often displays. She will finally figure out that blocks don't balance on balls very well and build a grand stack of cubes based on her new knowledge. She will giggle and clap (with histrionic encouragement from me), so proud of her ingenuity...and then the next time I look over at her, she's back to trying to stack a couple of balls! This painting, Three Towers (Block Series), oil/canvas 24" x 24" is my first diptych related to Stella's blocks and was an opportunity to dig deeper into this topic. It is more expressive and "raw" than many of the paintings I've completed in 2008, but I think the more physical, emotional style is fitting when considering the inspiration is a young toddler!
