NYE II – Original Abstract Mixed Media Artwork on Archival Paper by Erin McGrath Rieke
About this Artwork
NYE II is an original abstract mixed media artwork created in 2020 by Erin McGrath Rieke using pastel and acrylic on archival paper. This expressive 8x10 piece captures the vibrant energy and emotional intensity of New Year’s celebrations remembered from youth.
Bold color and sweeping gestures move across the surface in an explosive rhythm, echoing the chaotic joy and anticipation that often accompanies the turning of the year. Layers of pastel and acrylic interact with one another to create a dynamic composition filled with movement, light, and emotional immediacy. The marks feel spontaneous and electric, suggesting fireworks, music, and the collective exhilaration of fleeting moments.
At the same time, NYE II carries a reflective undertone. The work reaches toward memories that once felt vivid and immediate but have gradually softened with time. In this way, the piece exists between celebration and longing. It becomes both a tribute to youthful exuberance and a meditation on the passage of time.
Through its energetic composition and layered materials, the artwork explores the fragile boundary between euphoria and loss. The painting invites viewers to reflect on the moments that shape us, the memories that glow brightly for a time, and the quiet realization that even our most vivid experiences eventually drift into the past.
Artwork Details
Artist: Erin McGrath Rieke
Title: NYE II
Year Created: 2020
Medium: Pastel and acrylic on archival paper
Artwork Size: 8 W x 10 H x 0.5 D in
Style: Abstract / Contemporary Abstract
Subject: Memory, celebration, emotional landscape
Series: N/A
Original Artwork: One-of-a-kind
Frame: 16 W x 20 H x 2 D in
Additional Information
Erin McGrath Rieke’s mixed media works frequently explore the relationship between memory, emotion, and expressive abstraction. In NYE II, the combination of pastel and acrylic creates a rich visual texture where color and movement feel both immediate and layered with meaning.
The artwork’s smaller scale draws viewers in, encouraging a closer look at the vibrant gestures and tonal contrasts that define the composition. Its expressive marks evoke moments of excitement and energy while simultaneously revealing the reflective quality that memory often brings to those experiences.
Presented in a 16 x 20 frame, the piece gains additional presence while preserving the intimacy of the original paper artwork. The framing allows the energetic composition to stand out while protecting the delicate surface of the pastel and acrylic layers.
Collecting Original Artwork
Original mixed media works by Erin McGrath Rieke reflect the artist’s intuitive process and her exploration of memory, emotion, and time through abstract form. NYE II is a one-of-a-kind artwork that captures the vivid intersection of celebration and reflection, making it a compelling addition to contemporary abstract art collections.
NYE II – Original Abstract Mixed Media Artwork on Archival Paper by Erin McGrath Rieke
About this Artwork
NYE II is an original abstract mixed media artwork created in 2020 by Erin McGrath Rieke using pastel and acrylic on archival paper. This expressive 8x10 piece captures the vibrant energy and emotional intensity of New Year’s celebrations remembered from youth.
Bold color and sweeping gestures move across the surface in an explosive rhythm, echoing the chaotic joy and anticipation that often accompanies the turning of the year. Layers of pastel and acrylic interact with one another to create a dynamic composition filled with movement, light, and emotional immediacy. The marks feel spontaneous and electric, suggesting fireworks, music, and the collective exhilaration of fleeting moments.
At the same time, NYE II carries a reflective undertone. The work reaches toward memories that once felt vivid and immediate but have gradually softened with time. In this way, the piece exists between celebration and longing. It becomes both a tribute to youthful exuberance and a meditation on the passage of time.
Through its energetic composition and layered materials, the artwork explores the fragile boundary between euphoria and loss. The painting invites viewers to reflect on the moments that shape us, the memories that glow brightly for a time, and the quiet realization that even our most vivid experiences eventually drift into the past.
Artwork Details
Artist: Erin McGrath Rieke
Title: NYE II
Year Created: 2020
Medium: Pastel and acrylic on archival paper
Artwork Size: 8 W x 10 H x 0.5 D in
Style: Abstract / Contemporary Abstract
Subject: Memory, celebration, emotional landscape
Series: N/A
Original Artwork: One-of-a-kind
Frame: 16 W x 20 H x 2 D in
Additional Information
Erin McGrath Rieke’s mixed media works frequently explore the relationship between memory, emotion, and expressive abstraction. In NYE II, the combination of pastel and acrylic creates a rich visual texture where color and movement feel both immediate and layered with meaning.
The artwork’s smaller scale draws viewers in, encouraging a closer look at the vibrant gestures and tonal contrasts that define the composition. Its expressive marks evoke moments of excitement and energy while simultaneously revealing the reflective quality that memory often brings to those experiences.
Presented in a 16 x 20 frame, the piece gains additional presence while preserving the intimacy of the original paper artwork. The framing allows the energetic composition to stand out while protecting the delicate surface of the pastel and acrylic layers.
Collecting Original Artwork
Original mixed media works by Erin McGrath Rieke reflect the artist’s intuitive process and her exploration of memory, emotion, and time through abstract form. NYE II is a one-of-a-kind artwork that captures the vivid intersection of celebration and reflection, making it a compelling addition to contemporary abstract art collections.
