“Welkin” The vault of the sky: firmament

“Welkin” (The vault of the sky: firmament: the celestial of God or the gods) Several years ago, as I witnessed a glorious, sun-filtered, late-afternoon cloud formation recede into darkness, it unexpectedly triggered a flood of memories of remorse and regrets regarding friends and lovers. This sensory surge became the catalyst for “Welkin: the Sky or Heaven” Aware that throughout the history of Western art the use of the heavens, clouds, and the sky has served as a trope for spiritual, religious, and transformative experiences. I decided to see if I could use multiple images of the sky to create a singular composition that would reflect a visual expression of my emotions. Setting out to experiment with this idea, I began to photograph skyscapes that elicited a visceral reaction in me. As I continued this process of observing and photographing, I was constantly inspired by the transitions of the celestial landscape. As a result, I became even more acutely aware of how the changing palette of light embodied both a sense of loss and the passage of time. I experimented with size, placement, and palette. As a result, my singular compositions are all anchored to a specific location and titled accordingly. Being aware that places generate their own associations adds a dimension to the work, potentially provoking memories or myths that viewers bring to each photograph.