I am fascinated by metaphor. Whales invite us to explore deeper aspects of consciousness—our emotions, intuition, and inner wisdom. River stones represent our innermost will and initiative; while the stone itself does not cause change, it helps us recognize and accept it.

The color palette for this work—Payne’s gray, bronze, and white—originated during a residency at Anderson Ranch near Aspen, Colorado. Under the guidance of artist Linda Geary, we were challenged to create twenty paintings in a single day. In focusing on process rather than color theory, I subconsciously chose these three hues:

Blue (Payne’s gray): calm strength, wisdom, trust, creativity

Gold (bronze): inner and outer light

White: peace and presence

Together, these colors balance thought, emotion, and intuition—an ongoing theme in my work.

River Stones & Whales began intuitively, guided by the act of painting itself. I often start large canvases with gestural sweeps using tools like drywall trowels and silkscreen squeegees. After the first expressive layer, I step back, letting time and reflection guide my next moves. Over days or even months, forms begin to emerge. In this painting, those forms became river stones and two whales, with nods to water’s movement and pathways.

The circle within the composition connects this work to my ongoing sculpture project, The Circle Conversation. A horizon line and vertical movement evoke both landscape and emotion—anchoring the viewer between earth and sky, stillness and motion.

Exhibition History

Art of the State 2025,
Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities
Juried Exhibition | January 16 – March 30, 2025

Film

Featured in the short documentary Walking in Paint
Directed by W.W. Webb (Denver, CO)
Austin Film Festival finalist – Best Documentary Short finalist
Password: paynesgray

Follow

Instagram: @courtneycottonetal

© 2024 Courtney Cotton. All Rights Reserved.