Inez
This is Inez (2024). She is made with charcoal and acrylic paint on canvas, measuring 20 x 40 cm. Her name is the English spelling of the Spanish and Portuguese name Inés/Inês/Inez, the forms of the given name “Agnes”, deriving from the Greek word hagnē, meaning "pure" or "holy".
I painted Inez in a couple of days, in late august of 2024, while falling in love. It felt like the sun, and I wanted it. Which came to a surprise to me, because I was done with love. Famous last words, I know.
One morning in September 2024, journaling, I wrote to my self:
TRUST LOVE REPEAT
It’s become a mantra of sorts. A set of instructions to follow: To trust. To love. To trust love. And then to repeat, as many times as needed, until I do. I made it into an image and a paste-up to put out on the streets, because I don’t think I’m alone in needing this reminder. And judging by the fact that people on a couple of locations are painting around the paste-up to preserve it, I think I might be right.
By October 2024, I was feeling more confident in love, and made The Sun to my Moon, that you can see below.
I made this one during a week teaching at Einar Granum Kunstfagskole. You know how it is, when you are so deeply in love that you will find and use any chance to bring it up or out in the world.
I made Inez (2024) for my love. It hangs on his wall, and every time I see this painting, or pass one of the paste-ups on the streets, I am reminded of how he makes me feel, and to be brave and lean into it all.
I think that’s one of the most important thing I’ll ever do.