Don't Pull Away

Don't Pull Away, 2016.
Acrylic on canvas
48"(w) x 36"(h) x 1.25"(d).

This piece was inspired by the song "Don't Pull Away" by J. Viewz featuring Milosh.

The deep, pulsating instrumentals and vocals of J. Viewz’ “Don’t Pull Away” transport the listener to another place. The lyrics suggest a broken heart – a separation. I have translated it into an inward conversation with the self.
I knew right away that this would be a mainly blue painting. The ebbing beat makes me feel like I’m floating – either in water or space. This is visualized through different tones of black-y blues and teals alongside deep magenta, which are interrupted by bright oranges and yellows. I like to imagine that this is the heart beat, which pulses out into the foreground, then recedes back into the blue abyss. This juxtaposition of fiery hues against calm, cool colors is a metaphor for my ever-changing psyche. I often tend to go through feelings of such extremes – either elation or deep sadness – that I sometimes feel like I have lost my sense of self control. What was once thought to be just a phase is now my accepted norm. I know that I have to deal with this temperamental aspect of myself on a daily basis. This painting is a result of that self-realization with “Don’t Pull Away” being the catalyst.

Sample of “Don’t Pull Away” lyrics from musixmatch.com

"Every part of you is pulling me, so don't pull away
don't pull away
Every part of you is pulling me, so don't pull away
don't pull away

I don't want to change today cause
nothing stays anyway
I don't want to change today cause
that's just decayed
I'll give you more, I'll give you more
give me more, give me more
[……]
It hit that you changed your ways
that look on your face
it hit that you changed our place
but give it some time
I'll give you more, I'll give you more
give me more, give me more"