I am a children’s book illustrator; I draw from a narrative. Though I enjoy abstract art, its creation does not come naturally to me. During my undergraduate studies, my painting professor thoroughly favored abstract art and often ridiculed my paintings for being “too figurative.” I created this painting to try to bridge this gap between my professor and I, while maintaining my personal style. This work is a technical experiment with creating depth only from straight-from-the-tube, vibrant color painted in thin, neat lines and running water. No black has been used or at all mixed into the color to create shades and tints. At our critique, she complained that it “looked like mountains”, then turned it upside down and said “Now it’s art.” I have had this painting on my wall for five years since then and have never hung it upside down. It’s my favorite one I’ve ever made.