This online exhibition showcases Monique Rollins' two large-scale oil paintings created in 2022, delving into the transformative power of observation to evoke inspiration. These artworks exhibit a rhythmic concept of space, skillfully organizing lines and shapes in superimposed layers of color. By finding an endless wealth of intricate color and shape layers within the waterscapes of Venice, these images encapsulate Rollins' explorations in Europe and the United States, reflecting her interactions with gestures, lines, and memories.

Nature serves as a vehicle for establishing connections through the abstract quality of the subject matter, honed by the artist's technical prowess in navigating shapes, lines, and color. This interplay distills the essence of abstract expressionism, infused with Rollins' distinct artistic voice.

In her piece titled "Universe Whispering in my Ear," Rollins immortalizes the 15th-century Venetian trade center, offering a contemporary perspective on its bustling commercial energy along waterways and the Adriatic Sea. The iconic gondolas, emblematic of Venice, emerge prominently at the nearest visual point of entry. Guided by the extended asymmetrical curves of shapes and lines, the viewer's eye traverses the sweeping canvas. The subdued color palette, layered with earth-toned siennas, umbers, and cerulean blues, emanates from the waterways, boats, buildings, and sky. The amorphous and representational shapes and lines are infused with gestures that speak to the intricacies of modern life, offering an effect guided by the artist's intuition.

These exhibited paintings not only stem from the artist's observations and intuition but also draw from her memories of Venetian modes of transportation and the frenetic activity of summertime tourism. Thus, the act of painting becomes a search for and retrieval of experiences that find their way back to the initial sensory impressions. While Rollins' background is tied to the Brandywine Valley and the photorealistic presence of Andrew Wyeth, her paintings evoke a world of sleek modernity and mystique, exuding a 1960s ambiance to visualize her memories.

The large-scale and horizontal format of the artworks essentially presents a panoramic view of the scenes. The images guide the viewer's gaze from left to right, resembling the backdrop of a theatrical play. "Blue Water Day," a non-representational piece, captures the bustling activity of popular waterways found in any waterfront city.

Rollins' mature and sophisticated style harmoniously blends chromatic palettes with elongated shapes, embellished by layers that echo the rhythmic drive and energy of the lines.