HCC Art professor romanticizes Houston’s commute in painting
Oct 7, 2016
In the current series on exhibit at the Houston Community College (HCC) West Loop Art Gallery, The Commuter: Daily Reflections, exhibitor Marie Valdez brings an emotional experience as well as a new perspective to everyday surroundings that thousands of Houstonians experience during their day-to-day commute.
“Growing up in Houston, I took for granted the significant influence our everyday environment has on our cultural identity,” Valdez says. “After experiencing the devastating effects of Hurricane Ike in 2008, the subject matter of my work shifted towards the Houston landscape. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate this dynamic city through its highways and byways.”
Weather conditions and the time of day play an expressive role in Valdez’s work.
“Dense fog during the early morning or the late evening appears to caress the contours of vehicles as they emerge out of nowhere,” she notes. “Dim-light penetrating through the rain provides a sense of mystery as it reflects off of a recently saturated roadway.”
Most of the paintings are scenic views experienced out of the car window during Valdez's travels around town, but one set of five paintings showcases only reflections, conveying a dual meaning. This set of paintings, she explains, reflects what commuters see in their rearview and side-mirrors during their commute, symbolizing past thoughts, as well as what lies out ahead of the vehicle reflected in the hood, symbolizing the future. Valdez perfectly conveys the meditative state that travelers experience as they sit alone in their cars and reflect on the day.
“I am trying to capture an experience that I have while I am in that moment,” she says. “I take photographs and work from the ideas and feelings that I had at that moment as well as the visual imaginary that I respond to in that photograph.”
This is Valdez’s first semester as a full-time art instructor. After retiring from a 12-year career as a competitive gymnast, her desire to pursue the field of sports psychology shifted into an interest in art therapy.
“The process of creating art held many similarities to my experience as a gymnast—from goal setting to investing long hours in order to accomplish those goals,” Valdez explains. “I encourage my students to follow their passion. It may not be the easiest path, but it can be one of the most rewarding life experiences.”
Valdez’s award-winning artwork has been exhibited in cities around the world, including Boston, Rome and Paris. Her current exhibition at the West Loop Art Gallery runs through Sunday, October 23.