We know that the job of an artist is, at times, a difficult one. To mediate the world through the stroke of a brush or the snap of a camera is no small feat. We believe in giving artists their flowers, which is why we love to highlight them through an Artist Q&A! We dive into their process and how they created their current piece in the gallery! Please keep reading to learn more about artist Ruthie Moccia and her artwork in our Wonder exhibition, The Scuba Dive!
What was the inspiration behind this piece?
“I set out with three 12"x12" gessoed boards, intending to just play with the paint. I made ‘passes’ over all three boards in turn with bright colors and used mark-making tools to add or scratch away areas. Suddenly, the ocean appeared, so I spread around some white ocean foam and began to identify the shapes of imaginary sea creatures. The more I identified them, the more they began to adopt emotional expressions. For me, it was reminiscent of my first (and only) scuba dive experience in Kona, Hawaii. I thought, "This is how some of those sea creatures looked at me that day." So, in a sense, the painting itself inspired the painting.”
How long did it take you to make this piece?
“The background colors were quickly applied on the first day, then the creatures evolved one at a time. After working on it off and on for a few days, I felt it was finished. I didn't want an overpopulated ocean! I would guess 5 hours total. I also made the frame, which I think actually took a lot longer.”
Describe your creative process.
“Usually, I focus on something I want to paint and then let it unfold on the canvas. It may or may not turn out as I intended. There are times when the result is nothing at all like what I intended. I let that happen unless I'm intentionally trying to create an exact likeness to please someone, in which case I use a grid. A lovely (but too infrequent) way for me to paint is to turn on some music, pin a few found objects to the canvas (feathers, for instance), then just let go. Kind of like going dancing with a paint brush.”
If you could give yourself one piece of advice when starting your journey as an artist, what would that be?
“Historically, I made things harder for myself by not educating myself on the standard sizes for the mats and frames that would eventually hold my work. I was short-sighted regarding hanging the work for exhibition. This is typical of me, however. Getting to the end of something and realizing what I should have thought of first is such a familiar feeling.”
