Erin Treacy: in the studio & things that inspire

The cenotes of the Yucatán have been a truly informative time of visual investigation- literally entering the earth to beautiful colors, sensual forms, and the ripples of time. Much like the trees above that morph to the surroundings, each “cave” is different- some with large openings in the limestone making “exterior” open air swimming wholes, some enclosed like being in a hive with little pockets of light shinning through (I liked that one the best), others like you’re walking under a landbridge with a smallish pocket of water where you can cool off from the big heat above. Many many more pics that together with images gathered from the trees above will fuel the my drawing and painting practice for some time. This follows in my studio interests in growth and decay (it was the meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs that have created these serene and spiritual places) and how this relates to interior and exterior landscape- they are literally an inside and outside experience. Others thoughts that spring to mind as I reflect on them…from my grad thesis…on how caves can become shelter while also causing fear of being trapped. And the cave as a vessel- holding the fragile and necessary water- where the depths changes over time- ebbing and flowing. Then of course there is a big connection to my Fulbright research a decade ago in #theburren #ireland - working in a valley of limestone that supports Mediterranean and sub-arctic flora and fauna. And the caves underneath that limestone that make it possible. Lots of connections to dig through and process (pun intended;) #sublimegeology #geologyrocks #yucatan #cenotes #mexicancenotes #yucatancenotes #studioresearch #beneaththesurface #magicforms (at Cenote, Yucatan Peninsula) https://www.instagram.com/p/CbnNmChr6VF/?utm_medium=tumblr

#ceibatree sketches- twisting-winding- merging- through lines growing up and down. #reachingandrooted for some magic (at Mérida, Yucatán, México.) https://www.instagram.com/p/CbIQUpJrOyc/?utm_medium=tumblr

#donotdisturbthetrees This city’s charm is found in so many places- the respect for trees is a great demonstration of it! Love it so much! And that respect results in SO many beautiful big trees with lots of yummy forms 💚🌴💚🌳💚🎋💚 Merida really has a lot of things figured out! Museums are free, there is order in any line, upon entering stores you are greeted with hand sanitizer and a temp check (oh everyone wears a mask outside in 100 degree heat , there is really no one trying to sell you anything, barely see any homeless, flip of a coin if anyone speaks English- yet everyone is willing to work with my Spanish attempts, and much more… #respectthetrees #oldtrees #bigtree #meridanature #beautifultree #wonkytree #treesandarchitecture #meridamexico #meridatree (at Mérida, Yucatán, México.) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca953h3LoHn/?utm_medium=tumblr

Ummmm- also just realized/remember this 12” x 12” painting I made a few months ago really was a premonition for all these entryways…just wait for my cave album drop ! This one is titled: the mouth of the chasm says nothing #landfissures #earthdoors #lookinward #learningfromtheland (at Mérida Centro, Mérida) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cas3ActFQjT/?utm_medium=tumblr

A surprising find while on the road - “art stops” can often be very misleading tourist traps (there were expensive cocktails at the end of this one - but man oh man were they worth it!). We took the gamble and traveled inward, down this blasé road, and discovered a magical place of curvilinear concrete buildings, barefoot walks on local wood winding paths, with trees growing through the architecture or rather the buildings built around the trees. I really responded to the intertwining of inside and outside / manmade and mother earth weaving together seamlessly. The dichotomy of such was relaxing, inspiring, and grounding. In my studio, I am constantly thinking about the relationship between the landscape and our interior mindscapes. When I am working in the two-dimensional space of a painting - the focus turns more inward and reflective; the eyes and the mind dig into a painting and dig into thought and intuition. In this experience, it is physical yet the ambition feels very familiar; the feel of the material on your feet is a bit harsh, but it keeps you moving at a steady meditative pace, the netted balconies allow you to bounce, and running your hands along the cool smooth concrete is refreshing in the heat. @sferik.art @roth_architecture #landarchitecture #curvilineararchitecture (at SFER IK) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cass4lrFXsy/?utm_medium=tumblr

After the surprise contemporary art stop, arrived at the Cobá Ruins - it seemed so fitting to have these two experiences back-to-back. The land and the ancient architecture mingle in coexistence. The grand Maya architecture draws everyone in, to hopefully elevate historical relevance and consciousness (though sadly I know that is aspirational for a collective). Anyway…yes, the buildings are awe-inspiring, yet of course, it was the trees that really captivated me. The trees grow through and on top (yet again) of the structures. The presence of time is shown through the permanence and impermanence of the manmade and natural environment. My favorite part- clearly less traveled- was down an enchanted tree-lined path. There were different species of trees seemingly dancing together, embracing, supporting, and growing together. It reminds me that as Suzanne Simard states “Trees are "social creatures" that communicate with each other in cooperative ways that hold lessons for humans….. Trees are linked to neighboring trees by an underground network of fungi that resembles the neural networks in the brain…” When I read her work, I think about those networks we do not see, and HERE at this moment - they are visible - magical - even at points seemingly defying gravity! At the end of this long trail were an enclave of smaller structures, very few people, and a collection of Maya stelae. I FOUND the art museum on the grounds…without even trying. Lured in by the trees and teased by the movement of lines the day all made sense. #mayanart #coba #landmade #growthanddecay #mayanruins #treesrule (at Cobá, Quintana Roo, Mexico) https://www.instagram.com/p/Casq_ywlEL4/?utm_medium=tumblr

Really enjoying the bleed through creating #reverseimage in this sketchbook #markmaking #markerart #bleedthroughart #artresidue #doublesideddrawing #traveldocumentary https://www.instagram.com/p/COToWillCKV/?igshid=1gonug9opzn4p

Sunny days start at the beach - great visit @jennyhopeantesart 🌊☀️🕶 #wip #abstractednature #patternsinnature #fueledbycolor #paintinglayers #visualmovement #visualdynamics #goldpaint #lovinglines https://www.instagram.com/p/CN5yvMclR-f/?igshid=1r99sbqrpl5ov

@allllisonmillller paintings declare a confidence I’m jealous of ! Check it out @susaninglettgallery It was a delightful way to celebrate Sean’s bday....and of course a little more @juliemehretu cause it’s been a week since loving on her lines! https://www.instagram.com/p/CN0NyUklVso/?igshid=pbf8znipkje1

I DID NOT think my expectations could be surpassed #juliemehretu @whitneymuseum and all this viewing room 😮 Love love love #inbetweenstates copying @834usoleil with at least 1 back of head shot- promise i won’t steal your “project” (at Whitney Museum of American Art) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNdUT9llA1D/?igshid=18m9fii682t3

A lovely Easter Sunday @wavehill exploring textures and fun just kept on coming💗🌈🌱🌿🌳🌾🌷#bronxtobrooklyn https://www.instagram.com/p/CNSfbmIlbT9/?igshid=1qg5iy4y7ivtx

Some #nationalparks #postercollage hung for our #welcomebackhome #brooklyngroupexhibition @sunnysbar.redhook @sunnysbarofficial @sunnysredhook hope to reunite with some folks to see these and many more amazing artists and friends ❤️ (at Sunny's Bar) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNAN7uPlmo1/?igshid=356d8jplrhqk

#wipwednesday (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMh4H7nlbzk/?igshid=zg1sg6y4yhh6

Excited to have curated @younkinstudio exhibition #flowerpower @sunnysbarofficial Join us this Friday, March 5 at 8pm on zoom to hear #maryyounkin talk about her work and studio process during the pandemic. Followed by a Q&A with curators @kristadragomerart and me! #sunnysbarbackroom #sunnysbar is open with limited capacity. Mask up and come visit. The show will remain up till March 22nd 🥳🌸🌺🌼 https://www.instagram.com/p/CL926J-FfnM/?igshid=oqpbjuf342rj

Many thanks to @dspalmer and @lindaganjian for their amazing grant crits with my students @micagrad last night. Super amazing and invaluable feedback that was so greatly appreciated by all of them! I can’t recommend both them enough! Oh and obviously I am completely in love with their work 🥰 #gradcrits #gradcritseminar #visitingartist #payartists @marylandinstitutecollegeofart @mica_cd https://www.instagram.com/p/CLwvTIblf1c/?igshid=1fo4w2ydw1f8s

Settling back in the bklyn studio- unpacking and found a couple more 18” x 24” drawings from #driedbouquets #foilageart #compost #papermaking #longprocess #drawthematerial then #destroythestillife #recycleart #multiplelives #sunsetparkartist #boroughparkartist #sunsetparkart #boroughparkart (at Brooklyn, New York) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLqFjI2lEAy/?igshid=r4teuhe6s3go

Loved the frequency of the #icebreaker sudden arrival - pulling RIGHT on up seemingly out of no where the first time- just looked out the window and there it was......only to learn when the river is this jammed it becomes a frequent thing. So for the last two weeks of my stay in Michigan I loved watching it appear and disappear - cutting through the ice to then watch the path cleared soon refill with new ice, building and shifting from different places and different layers The sound is often very still, and then it can be a slow crackle of slight movement, or a quick onset cacophony unaware of where the splintering starts or ends. And then quite again 🌬❄️🌫 The singular ice forms are stunning , yet the conglomeration of them into these groups create beautiful forms- little magical worlds that are informing the #winterstudio 🥰 #winterwalks #winterwonderland #lookslikealaska #stclairriver #icejam #changinglight #winterstudioinspiration #iceart #snowart #landscapeart #natureartist #mothernatureisamartist (at Algonac Boardwalk) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLUXKQmFBQM/?igshid=18p5jlr325d7c