Randy Purcell
painting
“Memory is an amazing thing. It’s the “lost and found” of our lives.”
Exploring that repository is an intrinsic part of Randy Purcell’s intention. Without a doubt, each painting is a reflection on things he’s encountered in his life. But Purcell’s artwork also includes his sense of wonder. He’s come to realize that it’s the little things that can create and trigger memories. Consequently, he allows an influence from one moment of his life to lead him to the next, which allows him to, “…follow a seemingly random, and endless, path of experiences. My paintings each represent chapters in the book that is my life.”
The process of cutting and transferring ink from magazine paper onto beeswax is a tedious technique. However, the work is peaceful and silent, and it allows Randy Purcell space for introspection. Just like memories, some of the transferred imagery can represent various facets and moments of his life, all things that have brought him to the present.
“This medium presents these subjects as well as we may remember them. Do we ever recall one thing without being reminded of others?”
Purcell begins each piece by going through his photos, taking time to reflect on his experiences and on past works. Of course, he paints a lot of bees because they are responsible for the medium he uses. Purcell likes to raise awareness of their importance to our environment, but most of his subjects have a connection with things he’s encountered. He hope to draw you in with familiar subjects—but hold your attention with an overwhelming array of textures and imagery.
