Nature is always in flux. I explore this ever-present phenomenon of change through my Chinese ink and mixed media paintings. I’m inspired not only by what I observe in the landscape around me but also from the shifting conditions of the atmosphere above it. These internalized impressions are shaped by the way light, air, and weather increasingly bear the marks of a world under stress. Rather than conveying a literal representation, I am interested in capturing the feeling of transformation by how both earth and sky register these subtle and profound shifts. My goal is to evoke the essence of the natural world while acknowledging the fragility of the lens through which we perceive it.
Working within a philosophical framework inspired by Taoist thought and the early literati tradition of Chinese landscape painting, I reflect on harmony and balance not as static ideals but as conditions constantly renegotiated. Taoism’s emphasis on naturalness, simplicity, and the cyclical nature of change guide my approach as I examine how the environment is a dynamic participant in the narrative of each work. These ancient concepts help me explore the evolving tension between the enduring rhythms of the cosmos and the increasingly volatile rhythms of our own planet.
Using Chinese ink as a point of departure, I paint on xuan paper while incorporating a range of additional media and techniques. Through layered textures, luminous voids, and eroded forms, I create a balance between emptiness and concreteness and between the clarity of light along with the atmospheric changes obscuring it. The interplay of these elements mirrors the deceptive appearance of permanence that exists alongside nature’s ephemeral and endangered qualities. Ink's fluidity is a catalyst guiding me to imagine the shifting boundaries of the cosmic and ecological worlds we inhabit.
As my practice evolves, I continue to explore new approaches to Chinese ink painting which bring together Eastern and Western techniques and expand the visual language through which I interpret our changing environment. This fusion allows me to push the boundaries of conventional ink painting while deepening my inquiry into how we experience nature both from observing the vastness of the celestial world above us and the intimate details of our terrestrial world.
-Karen M. Krieger