Original artwork description:

My inspiration for this painting came from Dr. Aaron Beck’s explanation of the “Law of Rules,” which are ideas by which the patient screens their experiences selectively, interprets and then sorts the flow of stimuli. The patient often draws a negative conclusion about how others might feel about him or her, based upon observed “clues”. If the patient accepts the validity of an extreme conclusion, they are more susceptible to an ever-increasing expansion of negative emotion, as in the radiating ripples in a pond; the patient can fall into a downward spiral. I have chosen to express the “Law of Rules” in blocky, rectangular forms, since they literally create a sort of “road block” in the patient’s mind. Healing begins when the patient recognizes that these “rules” are deceiving rather than helping them. The patient then chooses to substitute accurate thoughts and evaluations in place of the inaccurate assumptions. This series of 11" x 14" mixed media abstracts combine watercolor, acrylic and oils on canvas, in an earthy palette of greens, burnt sienna, and neutrals, along with black and white. A satin varnish has been applied for protection, and hanging hardware is already installed.

Materials used:

watercolor, acrylic & oil on canvas

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