Ben, Elizabeth Crowell

Medium: Pastel; 15" x 12"

"’Ben’ is a pastel painting on blue pastel paper that explores color and contrast. The composition comes from a photograph taken during a family hike in the Adirondacks. Metaphorically, the artwork captures a single, yet expansive moment. It connects to that specific time and place, and now, to my children, nature, and the larger universe.

I titled the piece for my son Ben, 19, an artist and aspiring architect. Ben is also my biggest fan, and this is his favorite piece of art I have created.

Technically, this piece represents expanse for me in terms of learning; specifically expanding my skills while cultivating my own artistic practice and vision. Kelly Worman’s ‘Color Theory in Practice’ class encouraged me to push the boundaries of color and contrast, by experimenting with multiple iterations of color families and Itten’s Seven Contrasts. Additionally, several studies of mark making were completed, deepening my pastel painting toolset.

Gazing at ‘Ben,’ I see the expanse of my color theory and mark making experience come alive.”