Why is the floor so inviting?
In many situations, even when there are chairs and couches available, I find myself gravitating (no pun intended) to the floor. It’s easier to spread things out to work on, play with children, and pet your cat or dog. Do you do this?
The floor is emotionally (and literally) grounding. For street painting festivals, it is lovely to be on the same plane as, and physically in the middle of the artwork. I surprised myself when working on my latest painting which is 8‘ x 8‘. I am not a fan of easels and typically work flat on a table. The only spot I could find large enough to work on was a garage floor. Moving onto the floor with a painting was like a new idea. However, once I started working, muscle memory kicked in and it felt like I was working on asphalt.
I was able to harness the familiar energy of a street painting festival. That energy is instant flow. You can’t necessarily decide the time you’ll begin a new piece. It is the art that decides when it wants to be received. I cannot sit down on a Tuesday at 4 o’clock, for example, and brainstorm ideas for my next series. The visions pop into my head while I am in the garden, driving to work, in the shower, reading a book, listening to a podcast (or sitting on a floor…). It is never I who decides when to channel images and concepts from the universe.
I worked on that piece as if I were at a street painting festival. I could’ve put the brush down and gone in the house to do the dishes or check my email, but my mind was suppressing the temptation. Being on the floor got me into a different field of concentration. There were no distractions. I had my five-hour “Murals” playlist on and hit repeat when it ran out. I relish this state.
I posted images of my process for this artwork on IG. The 8-foot piece is titled “A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats (yeah, sure)” and will be hanging all summer with other large-scale works and installations at the WaterFire Arts Center in Providence for the “America, Unfinished?!” exhibition. The show includes "’Ascending’ — An inter-tribal collection reclaiming Native representation through art”. I saw several pieces when I dropped off my work last week that were incredibly emotionally moving and can’t wait to see the finished curation. Please consider visiting the show. I’ll be at the opening on Thursday, July 2nd from 6-9pm. Find me to say hi if you’re there.
What is the next thing you’ll do on the floor?
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Here is info on my current and upcoming shows:
- America, UNFINISHED?!, WaterFire Arts Center, Providence, RI; July 2 – August 30, 2026
Opening Night: Thursday, July 2, 6-9:00pm
- Fiber, Fabric, Thread - On and Off the Wall, Menino Arts Center, Hyde Park, MA; June 29 – August 28, 2026
Artist Reception: Saturday, July 11, 3:30-5pm
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Until next time,
Joç
