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Artwork >> Kristin Abraham >> Saturated


Artwork >> Kristin Abraham >> Saturated

"Saturated"
Kristin Abraham
acrylic on canvas - 24 Inches x 30 Inches
Oregon's Crater Lake is the main inspiration for the painting titled “Saturated.” What is now the deepest lake in America was once a towering mountain called Mount Mazama. The legend of Mount Mazama tells of the ancient Klamath people who lived in the shadows of the mountain. Mount Mazama was home to Llao, the god of the underworld. When Llao became infatuated with the Chief's daughter, he offered the princess all the beauties of the world in exchange for life with him on the mountain. When she refused, the land began to violently spit and shake with Llao’s anger. This rage went on until the tribe’s medicine man became a sacrifice. As the nations healer plunged into flaming lava, the mountain collapsed and became quiet. Rain and snow filled the crater and the land was at peace once again.
Science would relate the incidents to a series of violent eruptions that weakened the mountain until it could no longer support its own weight. Although the lake appears serene, the volcano remains active, forming new cones such as the body of land now called Wizard Island. It is also known that the water appears to us as such a deep blue due to the way that light is absorbed. Light is absorbed color by color as it passes through clear water. The reds, yellows and greens are absorbed first, until only the deepest blue gets scattered back to the surface. This becomes the color that we see. The true color of the water is in fact no bluer than the sky. This concept, one that was always difficult to teach in class, reminded me of dualism and life’s illusions. Our eyes never see what is actually there. The images that we see are merely our eye’s reaction to what is there. The concept can be taken back to the tree in a forest question. When that tree falls, it only creates sound waves. If it weren’t for our eardrum reacting to those sound waves, there would not be the cracking and crashing sound that we hear.
In order to avoid a very extensive science lesson, I will, in short, say that this entire concept is what drove the design for “Saturated.” The painting itself does not illustrate the science of Crater Lake, it was simply inspired by it. It seemed fascinating to take this one step further and only allow color through the drops of water.
Beyond the initial idea, there are several elements in the piece that relate back to Oregon, for example the gas pump. In Oregon, customers are not allowed to pump their own gas. This is only true for one other state, New Jersey. That, however, is not the only reason for the pump appearing in this painting. Portland happens to be one of the most “bike-able” cities. The entire state is very environmentally aware. This may be one of the reasons that Crater Lake is one of the cleanest and most pristine bodies of water in the world. The lake is 1,943 feet deep and crystal clear.
Strawberries, thimbleberries, and an arachnophobe's nightmare all relate back to the gifts that Oregon shared with me in the short time that I was there. Rainforest, waterfalls, and sweet berries ignite the senses in this surreal land.
View and purchase this artwork at Kirsten Gallery in Seattle, Washington


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still following your work
Hello Kristin, I still pop in to check your work and its still amazing! Can't wait to see more. Looks like the Nomadic Project is going great. Christina Wilson
(Christina Wilson, 31 October 2006)
job well going
Wow! First of all I checked out your website months ago when I found out about your studio. I was really impressed by the work you've done. I have known for sometime the level of your talent and had expected to be impressed, but what truley amazes me is your zest and definate love for it. It is the greatest motivation possible, and ensures t.../...
(your cousin Matt Story, 17 January 2006)





Artworks Styles : Realism - Surrealism - Symbolic - Symbolism
Artworks Media : Acrylic - Watercolor



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