“This Is Water”

Red Sky Gallery

15348 Bothell Way NE, Lake Forest Park, WA

August 2024

Inspired by the profound insights of David Foster Wallace's celebrated speech, "This Is Water," this exhibition delves into the depths of everyday consciousness and the unseen currents that shape our experiences. Through a diverse collection of works, Ross explores themes of awareness, choice, and the pervasive yet often unnoticed forces that influence our lives.

Each piece invites viewers to contemplate the automatic, default settings of the mind and to embrace a more deliberate, attentive approach to the world around us. Join us for a journey that challenges the mundane and celebrates the profound in the ordinary. This is an invitation to see, to reflect, and to awaken to the water in which we swim.

“AS I SEE IT"
“The only thing that’s capital-T True is that you get to decide how you’re gonna try to see it. You get to consciously decide what has meaning and what doesn’t.”

48x36 [Mixed Media On Canvas]
2024 — “AS I SEE IT" “The only thing that’s capital-T True is that you get to decide how you’re gonna try to see it. You get to consciously decide what has meaning and what doesn’t.” 48x36 [Mixed Media On Canvas] 2024

“AWARE AND MINDFUL"
24x20 [Mixed Media On Canvas]
2024 — “AWARE AND MINDFUL" 24x20 [Mixed Media On Canvas] 2024

“EMPATHY AND COMPASSION"
‘To look beyond our own needs and desires, to recognize the struggles of others, and to respond with empathy and compassion.’

30x30 [Mixed Media On Canvas]
2024 — “EMPATHY AND COMPASSION" ‘To look beyond our own needs and desires, to recognize the struggles of others, and to respond with empathy and compassion.’ 30x30 [Mixed Media On Canvas] 2024

“HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT"

“A simple awareness; awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, all the time, that we have to keep reminding ourselves over and over. This is water. This is water.”

24x20 [Mixed Media — “HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT" “A simple awareness; awareness of what is so real and essential, so hidden in plain sight all around us, all the time, that we have to keep reminding ourselves over and over. This is water. This is water.” 24x20 [Mixed Media On Canvas] 2024

“WHAT THE HELL IS WATER?”
“There are these two young fish swimming along and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says, “Morning, boys. How’s the water?” And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eve — “WHAT THE HELL IS WATER?” “There are these two young fish swimming along and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says, “Morning, boys. How’s the water?” And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes, “What the hell is water?” 30x24 [Mixed Media On Canvas] 2023

“INVISIBLE"

“Our thoughts determine much of what happens in our lives and how we feel. They even shape the outcomes in our lives. Yet, they are invisible.”

24x20[Mixed Media On Canvas]
2024 — “INVISIBLE" “Our thoughts determine much of what happens in our lives and how we feel. They even shape the outcomes in our lives. Yet, they are invisible.” 24x20[Mixed Media On Canvas] 2024

“ME, MYSELF AND I"
“ To see ourselves as the center of the universe, and this self-centeredness leads to frustration, anger, and a lack of empathy.”

18x18 [Mixed Media On Canvas]
2024 — “ME, MYSELF AND I" “ To see ourselves as the center of the universe, and this self-centeredness leads to frustration, anger, and a lack of empathy.” 18x18 [Mixed Media On Canvas] 2024

“PERCEPTION"
“Our perception of reality is not fixed, but rather a choice that we make every day.”

30x30 [Mixed Media On Canvas]
2024 — “PERCEPTION" “Our perception of reality is not fixed, but rather a choice that we make every day.” 30x30 [Mixed Media On Canvas] 2024

“This Is Water" [1]

36x18 [Mixed Media On Canvas]
2024 — “This Is Water" [1] 36x18 [Mixed Media On Canvas] 2024

“This is water.” [2]

24x24 [Mixed Media On Canvas]
2024 — “This is water.” [2] 24x24 [Mixed Media On Canvas] 2024

New Member Artist Show

Self-Portrait