Melanie Bethke, Anja, oil on wood, 28" dia, 2023

Melanie Bethke, Anja, oil on wood, 28" dia, 2023

$3,200.00

Underlying color energy illuminates my work. This exploration led to the Perpetual Motion Series: an exploration of the use of line and color to create rhythm and convey the perception of constant movement. These works are all painted on round canvases because the circular shape represents the central theme of the series with its endless, perpetual line. The synthesis of energies that occur between the sonic and the visual reveal the unseen sound experience. I capture music’s fleeting moments and impose its overall impressions into the painting. Each painting takes form through the accretion of layers of paint, counteracted by scraping or the use of resists, and by drawing upon the work with miniature power tools. The language of music is revealed on panel via the dynamic synthesis / interaction of sinuous lines, shape, pattern, and color fields.

I then use this research and explore the concept deeper in paint as I intuitively feel it out. Each piece is a culmination of my secondary research and experiential seeking of the subject.

Authentic Core explores the process of awareness. It juxtaposes fuzzy spaces of confused states of mind against bands of clarity that interject as you move through life.

Anja is the point where the energies of the lower chakras gather and expand into spiritual consciousness and is associated with insight and intuition. This painting shows the energy within arising to meet and connect to the universal consciousness.

The Chakras portray the energetic properties of the seven chakras: Muladhara (root); Svadhisthana (sacral); Manipura (solar plexus), Anahata (heart), Visshuddha (throat), Anja (third-eye), and Sahasrara (crown).

Dazzling Darkness is a reference to the ever-present but elusive part of us that remains at peace, even in the throw of chaos.

Invisible Energy portrays the intricate web of energy that connects all things. To better grasp the concept that we are all connected in a complex web of energy I looked into the life of spiders. The spectacular webs spiders weave not only capture prey, but they use the vibrations of their webs to sense their environment.

Black Hole investigates the energy of a black hole with its strong gravitational force that pulls you in with no return.

Radiating Waves depicts energy radiating out from an undefined source energy. I used dynamic color fields to resemble pulsating waves that resonate with each other and expand outwards with a sense of aliveness.