i'm trying to fall in love with the rain

​

Acrylic and Oil Pastel on Paper

8.5" x 11"

106 scenes
 

the artworks in this book

are presented on bound pages,

creating a seamless flow of structured narrative.

​

Fall 20221 - Spring 2022
 

​

 

Brandt Maina is an artist and writer from Kenya. They came to Portland in the summer of 2021 excited that the warm dry weather reminded them of Nairobi. The incessantly wet and depressing winters, however, not so much. "Some days are better than others." The rain caresses an unrequited love against his sun-loving Kenyan skin. C'est ça l'amour.

 

“‘I am trying to fall in love with the rain’” is a collection of 106 meditations on being wet. A blooming series of emotional landscapes, a dithyramb of colors, a blue bleeding plea and subconscious synthesis of unbridled childlike joy dancing against a liquid tapestry of depression. Overwrought. An oracle of futures where humanity is long gone and we are but spectral star dust yet again. A gentle practice in holding sacred space for deconstruction and healing while the wetting of Time passes by. Grief. The world holds a heavy chaos. Exhale. Bathe in what you have found. 106 tears and tears of homesickness. Sweet sigils on a queer immigrant’s journey to seek asylum. Safe safe safe. There is Hope in this city. I AM HOME”

 

"Colors answer feelings in man

Shapes answers thought

And motion answers will"

• John Sterling