The Sweet Escape 2021

Here's a painting by Kayla Mahaffey made with bright yellows, blues, and purples that give way to a realistic portrait. I'm thinking about how Mahaffey’s painting might have come into being, shifting and emerging through trial, error, and intuition. What was she thinking as she built up these layers of paint? I bet she was conjuring her childhood. The cartoon-like drawing that floats around the figure’s head reminds me of Saturday mornings watching TV in my PJs! Mahaffey uses thin layers of paint, blending and building luminous color. Look at the way she paints the child's skin, those warm browns and golds! But then the red ribbon cuts across the face, and the dark speech bubble floats into the mouth… Are those dark thoughts that the child is trying to swallow? There is a lot going on here! Painting is like life: an ongoing conversation and exchange of ideas across time. It allows for multiple readings, embracing ambiguity and uncertainty.