I N I T I U M
EXPRESSIONS OF LONGING AND HOPE
by
WENDY WESTLAKE
Inflorescere
2021
acrylic on raw canvas
48” x 60” x 1.5”
In life, as in her art, Westlake finds poise in proportion.
Her new body of work in INITIUM investigates where the line between ‘less’ and ‘more’ begins to blur. In this current world of uncertainty, Wendy quietly unpacks our envelope of existence, exploring sensations of restraint and release while bringing today’s chaotic uncertainty into order and equanimity.
Potentia
2021
acrylic on raw canvas
48” x 36” x 1.5”
Volentus
2021
acrylic on raw canvas
40” x 30” x 1.5”
floating forms interact
and acknowledge
Inolesco 1
2021
graphite, charcoal, acrylic on raw canvas
40” x 30” x 1.5”
Inolesco 2
2021
graphite, charcoal, acrylic on raw canvas
40” x 30” x 1.5”
graphite and crayon sketch marks speak to a ‘conversation’ below the painted surface
Cresco
2021
graphite, charcoal, acrylic on raw canvas
40” x 40” x 1.5”
“A soft muted palette suggest a gentler nature, where things evolve organically, in their own time. Here we feel ourselves slowing down, as it offers a reminder to be thoughtful in all we do.”
Flore Peno
2021
acrylic on raw canvas
22” x 22” x 1.5”
bold forms,
earthy hues
In Flore
2021
acrylic on raw canvas
22” x 22” x 1.5”
Immotus 2
2021
acrylic on raw canvas
60” x 60” x 1.5”
Immotus 1
2021
acrylic on raw canvas
60” x 60” x 1.5”
“Westlake has modernized the mid-century style with her intuitive mastery of shape and translucency. ”
Validus
2021
acrylic on raw canvas
60” x 48” x 1.5”
Westlake’s fresh new paintings invoke a rebirth, or INITIUM: strength; adaptation; resilience; and an exploration of the present-day rhythms of life—with expressions of longing and hope.
About the artist
Wendy approaches painting with a sense of adventure. Each canvas is an opportunity to explore relationships through shape and color. She finds herself pondering how much territory a specific shape will occupy, whether it should expand or overlap a neighboring shape... will the forms meet in a strong defined way or will the edges barely touch in delicate softness? The use of color opens yet another avenue for interplay of relationship. A bold orange painted next to a companion bold red will look and feel completely different if paired next to a muted yellow. This dialogue of shape and color is one Westlake cannot resist.
In a sense, each painting is either portrait or self-portrait. How does she choose to allocate the minutes of her day? What and who are her priorities? How is she affected by those closest to her and how does she influence them in turn?
Westlake is inspired by the American Abstract Expressionists, particularly the color fields of Mark Rothko and collages of Conrad Marca-Relli.
How to contact us
Contact us at gallery@veroniquewantz.com if you would like further information, more images of a particular piece, pricing or would like to reserve a piece - please let us know and we would be glad to help. For clients who are local, and who are unable to visit during open hours, we offer private viewings by appointment (email us at gallery@veroniquewantz.com to schedule). For non-local clients, we are happy to schedule a virtual tour. Thank you for your continued support of our local art community!