Otherly

Intention
Otherly

Inspiration
While I have my own inspiration and deep meaning behind this piece, I leave it to you, the viewer, to find what it means to you—especially in the context of these times.

I will, however, share a story about the materials I used to create it.

This Heart Art Expression is years in the making.

Over 15 years ago, I made the marbled rice paper used in this painting. I had bought a CD to learn the technique. I filled the old bathtub in my house with water, added ink, and pulled the paper through the black and white swirls. I then lined the hallway floor with the marbled sheets, laying them on old towels to dry.

It made such a mess! Cleaning the ink stains from the bathtub took forever, so I never attempted it again. While the paper looked interesting, it didn’t turn out as beautifully as in the tutorial video. The perfectionist in me didn’t know what to do with it, so I did nothing.

Until recently.

When I rediscovered the paper, I saw it differently. This time, it felt more than good enough to use.

The paper beneath the marbled rice paper? It’s 300 lb. watercolor paper. Years ago, I was too intimidated to paint on it because it was so expensive, and I was afraid of “ruining” it. So, like the marbled rice paper, it sat unused for over a decade.

Again, until recently.

I held onto these materials all those years, not knowing what they would become. Everything I needed was already with me—they were simply waiting for the right moment.

The hearts were torn by wetting the paper first and gently pulling it apart. I placed the hearts onto the paper without a clear plan for what to do next, so I waited until the next step revealed itself. Eventually, it did. The goldish hue you see is metallic gold paint flowing to and through each heart.

I invite you to take your time with this piece. Let it speak to you and offer its own message and intention.

May we remember our shared humanity and the profound truth that we are all connected, whether we realize it or not.

Art
Black and white marbled torn paper, gold iridescent paint, and hints of pinks and blues.

Artist
Elaine Callahan

Dimensions
• 22 x 22 fluid acrylic/mixed media original painting on 300 lbs Arches watercolor paper.