Rachael Grad

Mommy Mayhem: 65 Layers Painted #5

65 Layers Painted #5, 12" x 9," Acrylic on Canvas, 2021Loosely based on my 52 Digital Collage Mommy Mayhem Series, this abstract expressionist painting has blue, green, red, white, orange and pink colours. My Mommy Mayhem Series stems from documenting my three kids and their perpetual messes through life drawing and painting. I combine 65 layers of this observational art in Photoshop to make digital collages that inform new paintings. The bright, vibrant colours come from in children’s debris (meaning their toys, crafts, books, clothing, and messes) and are layered over multiple painting sessions. The vague imagery that emerges echoes the mayhem of motherhood.The paintings are based on my digital collages and blur the distinction between representation and abstraction. Gestural paint marks in acrylic and oil are built up on canvas through repetition.

“This original painting ships directly from my art studio in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.WATCH A SHORT VIDEO OF THIS SMALL ORANGE, BLUE AND GREEN ABSTRACT PAINTING TITLED 65 LAYERS PAINTED #5: https://rachaelgrad.com/collections/original-paintings/products/painting-65-layers-painted-5”