“To Wait” by Jessie Burton

Chalk Pastel on Paper

14’’ by 17’’

$150

Beauty, and its undeniable connection with desire, is something I have continuously explored in my work, before I even realized it. The human figure’s inherent beauty is why I am drawn to create; I am compelled by the stunning simplicity of its contour in juxtaposition with the high complexity of its anatomy. Because of my love for this contour, I primarily use chalk pastels and charcoal in order to capture the erratic nature of the hand while drawing the equally unpredictable silhouettes of the figure. Spontaneity is essential to my linework, as the contours come out of a place of tactile intuition inspired by the form in front of me. I often portray distorted, dynamic figures that speak to the intensities of human connection through penetrating eye contact and body language that interrogate the viewer. The depth of emotions that different line weights and blocks of color bring to otherwise predictable positionings of the figure guides my use of pastels, and aids in my search for potent compositions. However, at the root of my work, I want to create beauty through the pure form of the human figure, and revel in the satisfying human desire to seek it. Eros runs through my art in my portrayals of the figure as desired, sensual, and in intimate dialogue with their audience through striking confrontations at the whims of color and contour.

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