Sustained Investigation #12

Artist's Statement:

The idea for this project came from how we build each other up in our ecosystems. I wanted to have a kind of progressive narrative of standing on each other, like the deer was in the forest, had a tree growing from its antlers, and a human in that tree. So in some ways we are the smallest out there. I was also somewhat inspired by the animated movie Princess Mononoke. The idea of the forest spirit was something I wanted to explore more. I wanted represent how we benefit from and how the forest lifts us up.

I chose to paint india ink on birch bark. I wanted to use birch bark because of the direct connection to the forest. I also thought that the spots on the birch bark reminded me of the spots on a baby deer. I also used birch bark because I know that deer sharpen their antlers on trees. I chose to use india ink as well instead of a more fabricated material such as micron pen or sharpie because I wanted this piece to feel very natural. I chose to follow the natural flaws in the birch bark by adding some trees as well.

Originally I wanted to do something in Klimt's style, with lots of gold leaf and gold paint and red apples. I decided against that, and decided to go for a more rustic look. I wanted to still keep that same idea of a person sitting in the antlers of a deer. I wanted to connect to the forest directly. I liked the idea of people climbing trees on the back of this giant deer. In retrospect, it looks a little like the birch bark was burnt, and the antlers look a bit like lightning. I guess that it could be connected to the style.