2022 Abstract Expressionist Paintings | Contemporary Art by Ritu Raj

In 2022, I left behind the fast-paced corporate world of San Francisco to embrace my lifelong passion for painting as a full-time artist in Phoenix. This shift was not just a change of career—it was a return to my true self.

My new studio, a spacious haven adjacent to my home, became the site of expansive exploration. Working on massive 10x10 ft canvases, I embraced the physicality and spontaneity of abstract expressionism, channeling the energy of Jackson Pollock’s techniques. Painting directly on the floor allowed dynamic gestures, drips, and marks to unfold freely, creating works that pulse with life and movement.

The desert landscapes of Phoenix deeply influenced my palette and vision. The glowing sunsets, vast skies, and earthy hues infused my paintings with warmth, vibrancy, and intensity. My process became almost meditative—guided by dawn light, dusk shadows, and quiet nocturnal reflections.

This year was about more than artistic growth; it was about transformation. Phoenix’s open horizons and tranquil rhythms offered me freedom—mental, emotional, and creative. My paintings became reflections of this liberation: bold, layered, and honest expressions of presence and possibility.

In these works, you will find both the physical energy of abstract expressionism and the inner stillness of a journey back to self.