My name is Evelyn.
Have you heard of 'blue mind'?  

It is the calm and meditative state that being near water brings. 

Being in the water does this for me.

 

While living in San Francisco for over 20 years, I found solace swimming in the bay. As my mom’s Alzheimer’s symptoms progressed, caring for my aging mother led me to move to New York City to be close to her, and I continue to swim through the winter at Brighton Beach. Alzheimer’s disease is cruel. When a loved one is diagnosed, it is impossible to foresee how things will play out. When I think I know, the next declining new stage rises to slap me in the face, forcing me to tread water, in water I can't see through. I crave connection with nature, swimming and making art allows me to feel in control and seek beauty in my imperfect world.   

 

I like to romanticize my daily life and exaggerate a little, which translates into my paintings. I am fascinated by the mixture of different mediums; I combine cyanotype (representing the ocean blue to me) with little bit of colors from acrylic paint, watercolors, gouache, ink and crayons. The uncertainty of cyanotype—unpredictable UV light, water temperature, and even my own mood—makes creating art a fun challenge. 

 

Gathering organic materials from woods and beaches inspires my cyanotype prints; each print reflects nature's beauty and my personal journey. Through my art, I hope to share this connection with others, evoking joy and an appreciation for the beauty found in imperfection. Thank you for allowing me to share this magic with you.

 

 

—Evelyn Lu