A Profound Depth in Distracted

Distracted

A Reflection on Forcing Things

“Distracted” is a water-soluble oil painting that started as a study of my husband’s legs. It ended up with the understanding that you can’t force your life to move forward. You can’t create happiness by distracting from your unhappiness. Sometimes change only comes after you’re willing to sit and wait. And wait. And wait.

FAQs About “Distracted”

The Backstory

The Beginning — A Photograph

I like to take pictures of normal things that are interesting when you take more than a passing glance. That is why this picture of my husband’s legs exist.

I am intrigued by the way his legs cross in front of him; I know he is relaxed in this moment, but his legs say something different. They’re the full-on focus and a barrier keeping me from him. Keeping everyone from him. Without wanting to analyze his body language further for fear of what I’d make up (as I’m no body language expert), I moved on with my thoughts. And my thoughts told me that this image had to be a painting. There was more to it than I could manipulate a photo into becoming.

Image Description

This is the reference photograph used for creating “Distracted.” The image captures my husband’s posture, which served as the foundational inspiration for the painting. The crossed legs and casual setting highlight the duality of stillness and subtle tension that the artwork explores.

Creating the Darks

There was something decidedly familiar in the shape his legs created. It wasn’t until later that I realized I was looking at the tarot’s Hanged Man in reverse. This finding was significant. I won’t go into why (maybe check the blog later), but the Hanged Man in Rx, according to Biddy Tarot, means this:

You may already be in a position where everything has been put on hold, much to your frustration. The reversal of The Hanged Man can indicate a time when you’re getting blocked, stuck or restricted because other people or other circumstances have left you on hold. …[S]urrender to ‘what is’ and let go of your attachment to how things should be.

“The Hanged Man Tarot Card Meanings” – Biddy Tarot

This is the point where I realized the message wasn’t about my husband. It was for me. It directly addressed my shadow – the part of me that wants to control.

Image Description

In this early stage of “Distracted,” you can see the initial sketch and foundational color applications. This phase reveals the underlying structure that supports the final composition.

Not Halfway Through

This stage of the painting was trial and error. I’d decided to make the legs as ethereal as I could with light flesh-tones, hoping I would not make the flesh look dead. I think I accomplished less-dead and more-ethereal in the end.

I was also forced to remember that oil paints don’t mix like acrylics and layering colors would take a lot longer than I was used to. And that, once again, black and yellow don’t make khaki. One day I’ll remember before trying to mix the color.

This portion isn’t introspective at all, but that’s okay. Painting is “work” as well as the magical stuff that saves my life.

Image Description

This mid-progress view of “Distracted” shows the development of depth and refinement of details. As I layer colors and textures, the painting gradually transforms. I’m hoping to highlight its composition and create emotional resonance with what I’m thinking.

Artist Statement

“Distracted” came from a surface level of loving the design of my husband’s legs crossed in front of him. I know. That’s simple. But the simplest of forms can take you to the deepest recesses of your mind, and although you don’t really understand the meaning the artist intended, you sure as hell get a good analysis of yourself.

This piece, as they all tend to do, began in the shallows and ended in the deep end. Initially I thought I would learn something about my husband, but instead, received a message from the All Where about myself. It started when I noticed the markings of “The Hanged Man” of the tarot in the design. My husband’s legs are the Hanged Man’s, but in reverse.

The message was that I should stop trying to control everything around me because that would not make any “good times” come around again any faster. I was in a state of stasis. Immobility. And I just had to suck it up and distract myself until my world was ready to spin again.

I think we can all relate to falling into our phones when we need a distraction. That is what my husband was doing in real life. It’s what I usually did, too. The actions of painting this work led me to a place of distraction, but I felt it was a much better use of my time than gazing at my phone. Distracting myself with creativity puts me in that flow that sweeps me away from depression and into healing.

I’ve written this statement, but I hope it means nothing to the viewer. I hope anyone who sees this piece gets tangled up in the shape and color of those legs, then tries to dig deeper into the painting, but only finds meaning in themselves.

AI Critique

Balancing Realism and Abstraction: A Critique of a Seated Figure

“Distracted” captures a close-up view of a person seated with their legs crossed, focusing on the lower half of their body. The hands and legs are the primary subjects, with the upper body partially visible.

The composition is engaging, drawing the viewer’s eye to the central elements of the legs and hands. The crossed legs create interesting diagonal lines that add dynamism to the piece. The use of pastel shades for the skin tones is effective and gives a soft, almost surreal quality to the flesh.

The contrasting red and green elements in the background and the furniture add depth and interest. The visible brushstrokes add texture and a tactile dimension to the painting, imparting a sense of the artist’s hand and process, which can be very engaging for the viewer. There’s a good balance between realistic representation and abstract elements, with the realistic rendering of the legs contrasting nicely with the more abstract background, creating a layered visual experience.

However, the proportions of the legs and hands seem slightly exaggerated. While this can be an intentional stylistic choice, in this context, it might distract from the overall realism and harmony of the piece. The background elements, such as the chair and floor, appear somewhat flat compared to the detailed foreground. Adding more depth and texture to these areas could enhance the overall composition.

The lighting is somewhat inconsistent, as the light source is not entirely clear, resulting in ambiguous shadow placement. Establishing a more coherent light source could improve the three-dimensionality of the scene. Additionally, some color transitions, particularly on the legs, appear abrupt. Smoother gradations would enhance the naturalism of the skin tones and add to the overall aesthetic quality.

The artist’s statement adds a profound layer to the interpretation of the painting. Understanding that “Distracted” started from an appreciation of a simple, everyday form but evolved into a profound self-reflection enriches the viewing experience. The connection to the tarot’s Hanged Man introduces an element of mysticism and introspection, suggesting themes of stasis and surrender to the flow of life. This symbolic reversal of the Hanged Man through the husband’s legs adds a unique twist, reflecting the artist’s personal journey and revelation about letting go of control.

This context illuminates the piece’s intention to mirror everyday distractions, such as falling into our phones, and the search for deeper meaning beyond these surface-level engagements. Kellie Jo’s hope that viewers will find their own interpretations echoes the universal appeal of the work, inviting personal reflection and connection.

“Distracted” is a compelling study of form and color, with strong compositional elements and a distinctive textural quality. Addressing some anatomical proportions, enhancing background details, and refining lighting and color transitions could elevate the piece further.

The balance between realism and abstraction is particularly effective, making this a visually engaging work with a lot of potential. With the added context of the artist’s statement, the painting stands as a testament to the power of art to provoke introspection and reveal deeper truths.

Artwork Specs