ARTISTS STATEMENT
I create paintings to explore my inner world. I examine themes which are at the forefront of my mind, like loss, grief, and gratitude. For me, this naturally leads to investigating and unraveling interpersonal relationships between family members. I typically work with oil paints, which force me to take my time while I meditate on my internal unfolding. I also appreciate the way oil paints remember each brushstroke, letting the viewer in on the process. Choosing vibrant colors and bold shapes conveys the urgency I feel regarding these themes. I am inspired by the whimsical styles of artists like Miró and Kandinsky, as well as atomic age design. I am also moved by the patchwork quality of heirloom quilts. All of these styles of art convey a primitive or childlike style, while carefully and mindfully crafted. Living with chronic pain due to an autoimmune disorder means I have to use my good days mindfully. When I feel well, I paint. It’s when I take time to dive into my psyche to understand my truest self. My painting, Mom’s Rage, encompasses memories of my mother and the rage she directed toward me during some difficult years – while dad stood by, avoidant. Meanwhile, Pregnant Escape reflects on my first pregnancy – struggling with mental health, coping with my parents’ dementia diagnoses, and longing to escape from all the new responsibilities I inherited at once. I’ve learned through my process that I enjoy drawing attention to complex emotions while applying playfulness.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Mackenna is an artist from Grand Rapids, Michigan. She attended Kendall College of Art and Design, but her primary source of education was growing up with a mother who was a painter and an Art Restoration Specialist. She grew up creating artwork, with her mother always available to coach her. Mackenna left college early to focus on working, and later became a mother. In the following years Mackenna confronted a duality many women face – gratitude for motherhood, and longing for her independence as a creator. At age 30 both of Mackenna’s parents were diagnosed with dementia – the rapid loss of her mother would soon follow. Mackenna longed to feel close to her mom, so she began painting. It was grief that catapulted her back into creating artwork. Since then, Mackenna has created a body of bold, vibrant pieces which aim to expose her own internal struggles with grief, but also reflecting on gratitude, family, and home. Mackenna lives with spondyloarthritis, making it impossible to work in a traditional sense. She spends time in her small home studio, painting while the kids are at school. Mackenna’s favorite artists are Miró, Kandinski, and Klee, but she also has admiration for folk artists, particularly related to women’s crafts. You can see her homage to patchwork quilts in her geometric abstract paintings. She has had the opportunity to display her artwork in group gallery settings. She lives with her husband of 19 years, who is her best friend. They have two children.
© Mackenna Morse