Papillon

The Rorschach series is inspired by the amorphous ink blot cards developed by the Swiss psychiatrist, Hermann Rorschach in the early 20th century. The Rorschach test consists of ten standardized blots for patients to decipher. In psychology, a projective test is a personality test designed to let a person respond to ambiguous stimuli, presumably revealing hidden emotions and internal conflicts projected by the person into the test.

In 1984 Andy Warhol invented his own series of “ink-blots” by painting one side of a canvas and then folding it vertically to imprint the other half creating a mirror image of the painted half.

A few months ago I began experimenting with this process. My intention was to go one step further than Warhol by bringing forth my personal interpretation and embellishing on top of the initial blot impression.

What I find fascinating about this process is that no two people will ever see the same thing hidden within the blot. These paintings represent my vision, my personal story. I allow the subliminal imagery to reveal itself to me one step at a time. As it does I become more of a free flowing vessel to the process than a protagonist. I never push to create a definitive outcome. I rely more on my spiritual self and allow a stream of consciousness approach to guide me through until the painting is complete.

I leave the rest up to the viewer to find his/her own story.