The Synchronicity 2021

Lanise Howard’s painting gives us a glimpse into a world that is both familiar and dreamlike. The colours feel very grounded – greens and blues, oranges – but the two hummingbirds lend a sense of levity. I imagine Lanise carefully building up the layers of paint to create a smooth, almost polished surface. There’s a wonderful precision in the way she’s depicted each leaf, each bird, but also an openness to the process. These leaves almost seem to be in conversation with one another, each one bending and leaning. Each one is a little different. Looking at this work, I am reminded of the way Agnes Pelton painted surreal landscapes, creating otherworldly scenes that evoke a sense of stillness. Like Pelton, Lanise invites us to slow down and contemplate the mysteries of the natural world. It's a conversation, really. Painting is just one way we participate in this collective creative process.