Artist Statement

Elizabeth Iamba Mullnes’ Artist Statement:

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1).

I believe that God is the ultimate painter, sculptor, designer, creator. Nothing can compare to the beauty and complexity he has created. I paint pictures on canvas as my way to share with others a small amount of God’s glory.

A large portion of art involves expression, aesthetics, and how we perceive a work of art. According to Marcia Eaton in her book, Basic Issues in Aesthetics, many people agree “art is possible and valuable because it involves human expressiveness” (23). The novelist Leo Tolstoy believed that “art [is] the transmission of feeling” (Eaton 22). I find these two statements to be of value in the context of art. I believe art is an expression of personal feeling towards the subject matter.

The landscape is an enormous part of God’s creation and I want to be an extension of his work in which the recognition will glorify Him. I chose to paint landscapes because I have a great appreciation for the landscape. My background, growing up in the country near a small town, with acres of land to adventure out into left a large impression on me. Also, through the use of thick and thin areas of paint with areas of contrasting color and richness of pigment, I am able to produce my expression of the landscape.

My images of landscapes come primarily from northern to mid-Michigan. The theme of my work is generally the country area as well as fresh-water scenes. Human life tends to be absent from my work with the occasional exception of vague figures in the middle ground if studied carefully. Through my work I am able to touch on the notions of the beautiful and sublime. The landscapes I create are chosen purely for their aesthetic and visual content, just as the Hudson River Painters created landscapes that were accepted by the public as being “beautiful”. Also, the notion of the sublime is evident in my work. Sublime is defined as of high spiritual, moral, or intellectual worth, also not to be excelled; supreme; inspiring awe. In other words, I am able to represent a storm but I cannot actually create a storm.

The constructions of my paintings have certain aspects. I prefer compositions that convey extensive amounts of space creating a large amount of atmospheric perspective within the middle ground and background. The Hudson River School was known for these types of compositions. “Their paintings create the illusion of vast space, extreme distance and depth upon depth . . . In a Hudson River School landscape the natural panorama extends so far into the distance the eyes fail, leaving only a glimpse of an infinitely receding light” (Veith 16). I use loose brush strokes when handling the paint to create an expressive quality. I want to portray an impression of the landscape through my eyes. Arbitrary color also plays a role in my work. I add color in areas that may not originally be there to add richness to the painting. These formal elements contribute to the construction of my paintings.

God is the ultimate painter, sculptor, designer, creator. Nothing can compare to his creation; I paint the landscape as an expression of God’s beauty through my eyes.

 “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being” (Revelation 4:11).