“Leda and the Swan” by Hailey MacKenzie

Oil on Canvas

16’’ by 20’’

$250

In my practice, I am driven by the desire to capture the ephemeral nature of memories and the visual language of emotion. The imagery in my work is drawn from personal memories, often mundane moments that are imbued a quiet mysticism. Using little to no references I allow emotions to take precedence over accurate representation. Forms are often replaced with pure color, abstracting my subject into an energetic field. Moments of realism are used to anchor the piece in reality. As of recent, my work has also begun to utilize foraged inks and pigments. Driven by a desire to deepen my connection with the natural world, I paint with handmade paints collected from my environment. Living in such a fast-paced environment like Chicago, I have found the slowness of pigment-making to be calming and meditative, allowing for a personal intimacy with the natural landscape of Chicago.