The Sky

The Sky
Paintings by Jennifer Idrobo

The sky, so vast, offers us endless shapes and colors. Compared to us the sky seems to be colossal, meanwhile we seem to be so tiny and fragile. However, this is not the only juxtaposition between the sky and us. As tiny and fragile as we may seem, in reality, we are much more complex not only physically but spiritually. Nevertheless, the sky never ceases to offer a continuously changing show in which the protagonists are light and clouds.

As I worked on these paintings, I went through a particular learning process not only in the studio but outside of it, where my muses abide. In the studio I learnt a new technique of painting, glazing, which became essential in transmitting the subtlety these four artworks are attempting to show. Through the glazing technique and the delicate tones created by it, I attempted to diffuse the peacefulness found in my source photographs. Outdoors I had to become a better observer. In the past few months I have found myself analyzing the shapes and colors of several cloudy scenarios even when I am not consciously thinking about this project. On several occasions, I have also realized my mood truly affects the way in which I observe a cloud and the way in which I create a painting.

I also incorporated structures such as buildings and bridges as silhouettes. These silhouettes are meant to represent ‘us’. I decided to make them look as if they were fading away in order to represent our fragility. Moreover, they are sized in such a way that the viewer will remain engaged with the rest of the painting. This contrast is best explained by the author Julia Gregson:

“When we look up, it widens our horizons. We see what a little speck we are in theuniverse, so insignificant, and we all take ourselves so seriously, but in the sky,there are no boundaries. No differences of caste religion or race”.