cr LonnieRich-LeavesOfWaxII Lonnie Rich

The artwork presents a dense accumulation of foliage, rendered in a vibrant and unconventional color palette. Here we observe leaves overlapping one another, creating a layered effect that obscures any clear sense of depth or spatial recession. The composition is dominated by shades of green, but these are significantly altered through the introduction of pinks, blues, oranges, and purples. This deliberate distortion moves beyond straightforward botanical representation; instead, it suggests an exploration of colors expressive potential.
The artist’s technique appears to involve a blending or layering of media, possibly wax pastels or crayons, which contributes to the work’s textural richness. The surfaces are not smooth but exhibit visible marks and gradations that emphasize the materiality of the pigments. This tactile quality invites closer inspection, encouraging an engagement with the physical properties of the medium itself.
The arrangement of the leaves is somewhat chaotic, lacking a clear focal point. While individual leaf forms can be discerned, they are subsumed within the overall mass of color and texture. The absence of a discernible background further intensifies this sense of compression and abundance.
Subtextually, the work seems to question conventional notions of naturalism. By prioritizing chromatic intensity over accurate depiction, the artist moves towards an abstraction that emphasizes feeling and sensation. The leaves, typically symbols of growth and vitality, are transformed into vehicles for exploring color relationships and textural possibilities. One might interpret this as a meditation on perception itself – how our understanding of the natural world is mediated through subjective experience and artistic interpretation. The unusual coloration could also be read as an allegory for transformation or decay, hinting at processes beyond simple biological reproduction.

The dark border surrounding the image creates a frame that isolates the vibrant foliage, further emphasizing its artificiality and drawing attention to the artworks constructed nature.