Working on the Formations Series During the Pandemic
rosalie Lang
In the time of the pandemic: My painting life has been strongly influenced by the power of rock formations-their lace-like patterning, their incredible toughness, and their weathered beauty. These icons of our vast geological history still evoke within me a sense of wonder each time I look at them. Visiting places filled with rock formations imparts a deep feeling of “safe being” quietly promising to be there in times of risk or danger. Their enduring qualities both aesthetic and functional move me beyond the ever-present peril and uncertainty of this pandemic, once again underscoring the intrinsic role of rock materials in the evolution of our earth’s structure. Such longevity, such remarkable fortitude quietly conveys to me a positive message of security and safety. That deep-rooted concern for rock formations plays a key role in the subjects I choose for my oil paintings. Consistent with that interest, my current painting series entitled Formations offers a magnified view of intricate patterning etched in California coastal rock specimens. I closely examine the various kinds of interlaced details of each rock’s markings in photographs that I have taken and evaluate their feasibility for subject matter in upcoming paintings. What is the meaning of my work? In each painting I offer the viewer a gateway to enter a private, complex world of patterning and forms that would ordinarily remain unseen. This deep involvement with studying and painting rock formations shelters me from real-life dangers and strengthens my perseverance to stay safe and secure in an unpredictable time of grim realities.
