In Problem Child, an oil on paper abstract painting, I sought to explore the tension between structured containment and unruly rebellion, capturing the unpredictable energy that pushes against established boundaries. Working directly with oil pigments on paper allowed me to play with a sharp compositional divide and a deeply tactile, built-up surface.
The left side of the painting is composed of stacked, earthy blocks of warm yellow, muted green, dusty rose, and deep terracotta, layered with textured brushstrokes and descending drips that suggest structure or tradition. In stark contrast, the right half is dominated by a bold clash of vibrant sky blue over a heavy, shadowy black base, split down the vertical axis. Sharp, vertical scratches and linear drips cut straight through the right-hand fields, defying the orderly sections next to them. Through this deliberate opposition of warm, compartmentalized tones and a rebellious, disruptive blue-and-black expanse, I wanted to evoke a sense of friction and untamed character—a visual exploration of the element that refuses to fit the mold.
