Mikey Hernandez
I make large-scale, non-representational, abstract works on paper created through a process-driven approach that explores the dynamic interplay between wet and dry media. My work explores the concept of mindfulness through mind-body positive practices such as meditation, yoga, tai chi, and problem-solving techniques that support self-reflection, healing, and personal growth.
My creative process unfolds through the interplay of intention, chance and intuition. Starting from preliminary sketches, I explore line through story telling or the body's gestures to determine the placement of wet media. Working on the floor with a wet-on-wet technique, I allow pigment and water to flow organically, creating evolving pathways of color and form. As the water evaporates, unexpected shapes emerge, which is an interplay of control and spontaneity. I respond to these forms and pathways with additive or subtractive methods, fostering their development until the composition begins to resolve.
Once the wet media dries, I rotate the work to discover its most harmonious orientation. As I am thinking of balance in pose, I am also thinking about balance in composition. I then return with dry media, guided by intuition, to deepen dimension and texture, enhancing the tactile and visual terrain.
Ultimately, these paintings become enigmatic landscapes which often resemble cosmic or topographical spaces that blur the line between the micro and the macro. They serve as visual meditations on chaos and order, groundedness and wonder. In a world that often feels overwhelming, each piece is a personal reminder of my search for inner peace, balance, and meaning in both life and the universe.
Website: http://mikeyhernandez.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mikeyhernandezartist/
