I created Self Awareness IV in 2018 using acrylic on recycled paper. This 11 × 14 inch original is part of my Turbulence Behind Tranquility series, which explores the tension between outward composure and the emotional unrest that often exists beneath it.
Rendered in bold black and gray tones, the piece reflects the raw intensity of inner conflict and personal introspection. Jagged lines, layered brushstrokes, and swirling forms suggest a visceral unraveling, capturing the struggle to find clarity within emotional turbulence.
The textured, worn surface of the recycled paper adds depth and resonance. To me, it resembles skin marked by experience and memory. Each gesture carries the tension of self-examination, the push and pull between restraint and release, and the difficult process of confronting what lies beneath the surface.
Self Awareness IV was not created in pursuit of conventional beauty. It is intentionally raw and unresolved, exposing vulnerability, chaos, and the often-messy process of coming to know oneself. Through the physicality of the paint and surface, I sought to explore the friction between fragility and resilience, and the transformative power of honest expression.
Artist: Erin McGrath Rieke
Title: Self Awareness IV
Year Created: 2018
Series: Turbulence Behind Tranquility
Medium: Acrylic on recycled paper
Artwork Size: 11 W × 14 H × 0.5 D in
Style: Abstract / Contemporary Abstract
Subject: Emotional landscape, introspection, inner conflict
Original Artwork: One-of-a-kind
Framing: Included
My Turbulence Behind Tranquility series examines the emotional complexity hidden behind appearances of calm. Through texture, color, and layered gesture, I use abstraction to make internal experiences visible.
In Self Awareness IV, the bold interplay of black and gray acrylic creates tension, movement, and psychological depth. The recycled paper enhances the tactile quality of the work, giving the surface a sense of history and allowing the material itself to become part of the emotional narrative.
This piece reflects my belief that abstract expression can create space for personal reflection. I hope viewers are able to connect with their own emotional landscapes while encountering the vulnerability, intensity, and honesty embedded in the work.
Every original artwork I create is one of a kind. Through expressive abstraction, layered materials, and personal narrative, I explore emotional depth, resilience, and the intimate process of personal growth. I hope each piece offers an opportunity for reflection and a meaningful connection with the complexity of the human experience.
I created Self Awareness IV in 2018 using acrylic on recycled paper. This 11 × 14 inch original is part of my Turbulence Behind Tranquility series, which explores the tension between outward composure and the emotional unrest that often exists beneath it.
Rendered in bold black and gray tones, the piece reflects the raw intensity of inner conflict and personal introspection. Jagged lines, layered brushstrokes, and swirling forms suggest a visceral unraveling, capturing the struggle to find clarity within emotional turbulence.
The textured, worn surface of the recycled paper adds depth and resonance. To me, it resembles skin marked by experience and memory. Each gesture carries the tension of self-examination, the push and pull between restraint and release, and the difficult process of confronting what lies beneath the surface.
Self Awareness IV was not created in pursuit of conventional beauty. It is intentionally raw and unresolved, exposing vulnerability, chaos, and the often-messy process of coming to know oneself. Through the physicality of the paint and surface, I sought to explore the friction between fragility and resilience, and the transformative power of honest expression.
Artist: Erin McGrath Rieke
Title: Self Awareness IV
Year Created: 2018
Series: Turbulence Behind Tranquility
Medium: Acrylic on recycled paper
Artwork Size: 11 W × 14 H × 0.5 D in
Style: Abstract / Contemporary Abstract
Subject: Emotional landscape, introspection, inner conflict
Original Artwork: One-of-a-kind
Framing: Included
My Turbulence Behind Tranquility series examines the emotional complexity hidden behind appearances of calm. Through texture, color, and layered gesture, I use abstraction to make internal experiences visible.
In Self Awareness IV, the bold interplay of black and gray acrylic creates tension, movement, and psychological depth. The recycled paper enhances the tactile quality of the work, giving the surface a sense of history and allowing the material itself to become part of the emotional narrative.
This piece reflects my belief that abstract expression can create space for personal reflection. I hope viewers are able to connect with their own emotional landscapes while encountering the vulnerability, intensity, and honesty embedded in the work.
Every original artwork I create is one of a kind. Through expressive abstraction, layered materials, and personal narrative, I explore emotional depth, resilience, and the intimate process of personal growth. I hope each piece offers an opportunity for reflection and a meaningful connection with the complexity of the human experience.
