Original - SpringTail *Windriders Colorful Aspirations

2023

18" x 24" 

Medium: watercolor, acrylic  

Inspired by the Black inventor Alexander Miles (creator of elevator doors), Turkey Tail Mushrooms, octopus eyes, and Springtail insects known for their ability to ride the wind by jumping up to 400 times their body length to surf a breeze. This piece was a meditative dive into color and story. From top to bottom, I use my interpretation of the above mentioned inspirations to create a world of pulleys, robots, mushroom expanses, and elevator door tunnels…. All accented by the eyes of the  octopus.  

In the center, you will find orange squares that go deeper and deeper into space. These orange squares have white accents that may look like language. These markings are not a human language, they were inspired by the distinctive markings seen on the back of the springtail bug. 

In the very center, you will find my interpretation of the eye reflecting color. 

Through its creation, my consistent meditation was a quote from Toni Morrison. 

“If you surrender to the wind, you can ride it.”