“Each Painting is a Fresh Start”

Painter Katie Swatland shares remarks on lyricism in color, gesture and form.

‘Morning Sun,’ Katie Swatland

“‘Morning Sun’ is part of a series of paintings that explore the poetic subtleties on those hazy summer days, when the humidity is so high that you can visibly see mist in the air. I adore days like these because the humidity acts as a unifying element that merges the sky with the water, allowing the light to dance around in such a way that sometimes, at just the right moment, the light can catch a sail as it passes by, illuminating it against the mist.

These moments are pure lush atmospheric lyricism at its finest, and it is simply enchanting. I like to approach the canvas with a sense of inquisitive curiosity, allowing the subject to dictate the way I articulate the paint on the surface. In this way, each painting is a fresh start, and a unique expression of my experience. Rather than relying on a specific technique, I instead prefer to allow my imagination to guide the energetic expression of my subjects. The technique then follows, acting as a supporting element to the melodic motif.”

—Katie Swatland