Vision and Metaphor — A new
American Epic

Curtis Gallery, New Canaan, CT August - October 2019

Time Was Spiralic Over Their Intent, oil on canvas (diptych), 48x144" (4x12ft) 2019

Courage Came Naturally, oil on panel, 48x48" 2019 (private collection)

Choices Hung Before Them, oil on panel, 48x60" 2019 (private collection)

Where Does This Leave Us?, oil on canvas, 48x36" 2020

On The Darkest Of Nights (She Was Alive, Rowing Onward), oil on panel, 48x48" 2019 (private collection)

Porthole: Night View, oil on panel, 5” diameter, 2021 (private collection)

Protected Within The Prisms Of Her Mind, oil on linen, 24x36"

Protected Within The Prisms of Her Mind (Her Ancestors Were In The Water), oil on linen, 24x36" 2019 (private collection)

I Am That Ocean (self portrait), oil on canvas, 48x60" 2017-18 (private collection)

Awakening In The Depths, oil on linen, 30x24" 2019

At Sea, oil on canvas, 36x60" 2018

Treading In TimeSpace, oil on canvas, 48x36", 2018

Maeve Transcending The Past, oil on linen, 30x24", 2018 (private collection)

The Ship Was False , oil on canvas, 30x48", 2018

Observing Culpability, oil on canvas, 36x48", 2017

Frida's Light, oil on panel, 16x12" 2019 (private collection)

Waxing Gibbous Over Calm Waters, oil on panel, 10x8", 2019 (private collection)

About Vision and Metaphor: A New American Epic

There is a need for a new American and world mythology that resonates with our fullest desires in this life right now. A need to see ourselves and our children living wholly empowered and legitimately respected. A need to see real faces that reflect the diversity and truth of the future. I envision the metaphorical journey of children to a new future where all are safe with the recognition that we are all brilliantly reflected in the souls of each other.

When I began these paintings I asked myself what I needed to create in the world right now. The ideas and visions flowed in and while I worked to bring them to life more questions came up: what does true equality really look like? What would the story look like if the traditionally invisible were included in our historical context? What would it be like to walk through an art museum and see paintings that reflected our inner truth, power, and knowing? What would my work look like if I gave thanks to the unseen daughters of history by paying tribute to the wise leaders among us who must one by one and in unison reveal the real truth? What is the truth when we dismantle the limiting boxes and categories that cage us in? And where can true freedom exist if we don't allow openness, respect and understanding even for ourselves?

I see a fresh future that is pushed into betterment by all hands on deck. I see new stories, new norms, and new leaders all around me. We are already moving swiftly over the water if we could just grab the oars and herald the young taking control of the boat.

^{The oil paintings in this series and in The Great Crossing describe a New American Epic about the power and resilience of girls, lost youth, and children moving against the tide on their way to becoming future leaders. Each painting commemorates a moment in a greater narrative that highlights the inner strength, hope, diversity, and struggle of girls reclaiming their power. As part of this poetic and imagined nautical journey, children are depicted breaking free of limitations and using their own strength and skill to make their way at sea. I depict them in pivotal moments of challenge, despair, or enlightenment. In all of my work I explore the exuberance and distortion of the mind and memory perception as well as the beauty and strength of diverse personalities through great reverence for the painted portrait- both real and imagined.}

Katelyn Alain