Midnight Bay

Acrylic paint on Graphix film
4" x 4" image (8" x 8" matted and framed behind glass)

Midnight Bay was painted after a night swim in Mosquito Bay in Vieques, where microorganisms, the dinoflagellate, create a glow in the water when disturbed. In this painting, the inky water gently laps against the shore while these bioluminescent organisms sparkle in the dark. Midnight Bay is a small, framed, matted, poured acrylic painting behind glass. I begin by selecting my paints, considering each color's opacity, density, and color mixing properties. I added Floetrol (an additive that improves flow and leveling of paint) and silicone. The big moment comes when I pour the liquid concoction onto Graphix film, tilting and tipping to get the look I want. I use a butane torch to get cells of color to bubble up to the surface.