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Rainforest Colors

By: Carmen Bruhn

Rainforest Colors is a non-objective watercolor painting. In non-objective art, there is no identifiable subject matter. The elements of art: line, value, color, shape, and texture become the formal and conceptual subject of the work. In the case of Rainforest Colors, Bruhn explores color as an expressive subject meant to evoke a strong emotional response in the viewer. The intensely warm colors -reds, oranges, and yellows -come from her experience with hues associated with the Panamanian rain forest.

Capturing specific moods -especially feelings of calm, happiness, and joy -is important to Bruhn. She engages in an artistic process that explores, not only the emotional aspects of color, but like Rothko, she examines the spiritual connotations of various hues, as well. Repetitive patterns and geometric shapes are additional subjects in Rainforest Colors. Bruhn repeats visual elements in order to create a harmonious gestalt. For Bruhn, 'art is about imagination, expression, and communication.' In addition to working with non-objective forms, she also creates semi-realistic and realistic works that explore subjects such as angels, architecture, and human action and interaction. Her inspiration comes, she says, from 'my religious beliefs, my architectural training, and the private world of my imagination.'