24" x 24" Acrylic on Canvas
Reflection is inspired by a stormy night at Disneyland, capturing the interplay of light and reflections through a glass window. This painting explores the balance between indoor and outdoor elements, creating a dynamic and immersive composition.
Concept
This painting tells the story of a quiet moment stolen from the bustling life of a city. The scene unfolds during a rare stormy night, where the streets, usually filled with people and activity, are left almost deserted. A lone figure stands by the entrance of an office building, reminiscing about the days gone by.
This painting tells the story of a quiet moment stolen from the bustling life of a city. The scene unfolds during a rare stormy night, where the streets, usually filled with people and activity, are left almost deserted. A lone figure stands by the entrance of an office building, reminiscing about the days gone by.
The reflections in the water below mirror the internal reflections of the person within, capturing fleeting moments of the past. The bright lights and warm colors of the buildings contrast with the dark, tranquil water, symbolizing the dichotomy of human emotions — the vibrant outer world versus the calm and contemplative inner self.
The office sign suggests a place of work, routine, and daily grind, yet on this night, it transforms into a sanctuary of solitude and reflection. The anonymous figure standing alone allows viewers to project their own stories, thoughts, and emotions onto them.
This painting is not just a depiction of a scene but an invitation to pause and reflect. It encourages thoughts about one's own moments of stillness amidst the chaos of life, to remember the times when they looked out into the night, contemplating their journey, their dreams, and their memories.
Exhibition
Reflection was featured in the solo exhibition The Through Road by Rebecca Hamm. Guest artists included Katelyn Chow, Meg Lee, Shelby Rubalcava, and myself, Aedylaine Santos. The exhibition was on view at Ahmad Shariff Art Gallery, 107 Harvard Ave., Claremont, from July 6-27, 2024. For more information, you can visit the gallery website here and read a related news article here.
Reflection was featured in the solo exhibition The Through Road by Rebecca Hamm. Guest artists included Katelyn Chow, Meg Lee, Shelby Rubalcava, and myself, Aedylaine Santos. The exhibition was on view at Ahmad Shariff Art Gallery, 107 Harvard Ave., Claremont, from July 6-27, 2024. For more information, you can visit the gallery website here and read a related news article here.
Area of works : 2D, 3D, Photograph, Video, Installation
Creative Process
The inspiration for Reflection came from a memorable and rare stormy night at Disneyland, where I took numerous photos and videos to capture interesting compositions and light reflections. I referenced James Gurney’s book Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter to understand how to manipulate different forms of light and surfaces.
The inspiration for Reflection came from a memorable and rare stormy night at Disneyland, where I took numerous photos and videos to capture interesting compositions and light reflections. I referenced James Gurney’s book Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter to understand how to manipulate different forms of light and surfaces.
Through practicing photography and filmmaking, I documented my outings, focusing on unique lighting conditions and reflections. Choosing a square composition allowed for a balanced visual experience, and I incorporated a translucent layer of glass to add depth and complexity. Using a combination of acrylic paints, I achieved vibrant colors and dynamic contrasts, applying multiple layers to build up reflections and light effects. The interplay of light and shadow was crucial in enhancing the sense of depth and realism.
Final touches included refining details and adding subtle highlights, ensuring the painting conveyed the intended mood and atmosphere. I also painted the edges of the canvas in checkered pattern and complementary colors, making certain colors stand out when looking at different perspectives due to simultaneous contrast.
