Art Angels 2024

During my travels through Morocco, particularly in the enchanting city of Safi, I became captivated by the intricate beauty and cultural significance of their doors.  In Safi, doors are adorned with intricate tile work, reflecting the city's rich history as a center of pottery and ceramics. I never knew what I would discover as I rounded the corner in the Medina- the ancient walled part of the city. Through my photographs and batik paintings, I aim to capture the essence of these Moroccan doors—celebrating their visual splendor and the stories they silently hold, inviting viewers to journey with me into the heart of North African culture.  

An old jewelry box was up-cycled - the four surfaces cleaned and 4 refracted watercolors added to correspond with each of the four lines of a poem written for the box. Sky knows the snow will cloak the resting branches Sky knows the tilting of the earth will warm the trees and bring them to life Sky knows the heat of the summer will bring the fruit ready for harvest Sky knows the falling of leaves returns the strength of the tree to the earth for the next year. Most of the other surfaces are just left as they were, to remind the user of the box's previous life. Acrylic glazing makes the box a useable item.  

Fire and Ice is a plea for us to recognize our profound interconnection with all life on earth, the impact of humanity's disconnection from the natural world and from each other. It offers solace and a recognition of the inherent beauty of our natural world even as It highlights the need to address this existential challenge. My intention is for Fire and Ice to be part of the great web of healing. I invite you to engage with the painting, lose yourself in its details, meditate on its meanings, and to carry those messages into your daily lives.  

With all the tension in the world with aggression and war, I wanted to create an image that represented the end of the conflict. There is a feeling of exhaustion of the soldier's limp arm. There is no weapon in his open hand. The soldier has given everything for a cause, but his desire to continue has come to an end. Let the symbolism of the toga, wing of victory and laurel wreath inspire dialog and compromise to bring peace.  

The ocean delivers gifts of beauty in special ways. This piece is intended to invoke thoughts of unexpected tenderness via the tumbling, rustling, and tossing of the currents. After being carefully sheltered by a jagged, stone-like exterior, the gentle, shiny abalone interior holds a surprising hue. The tender pearl contained within a myriad of colorful hues displays proof that beauty can be carefully created and then surrendered from within the center of the toughest elements. Abalone Heart reminds us that we are strong and resilient. We will render the product of our worth despite the storms we experience.  

Inspiration: To explore the mysteries of the ocean and the earth and the sun and humans and the passing of time that all come together for an unknown ritual. There is a nexus of many unseen energies.  

My work is narrative. I use nature, people or symbols to simplify & tell my stories. My art is but one visual page, allowing viewers to use their unique life experiences to make the story their own.  

In a day of expectations and heightened awareness, my perceptions focus on an unexpected moment of reverie. The composition excites me, as does the sense that something mysterious and magical is happening. I feel an ethereal twinkling of transition, a subtle change that only color can capture, and I am in thrall.  

Lavender Tango is a vibrant abstract expression of cherished memories. The calming lavender hue evokes the beauty of my husband's favorite flower, while dynamic black lines symbolize the passionate energy of tango, a dance my father loved. This artwork is a harmonious blend of nature and movement, a visual tribute to those I hold dear.  

Night Music is my response to the sounds of nature I experience late at night from the deck of my cabin in the Vermont woods. The human sounds quiet down. My moment of solitude changes to reverie. I am transported by a symphony of natural sounds that fill the air--the rhythmic chorus of the frogs and crickets, the roar of rushing of water in the nearby river, and the percussive sound of wind rustling through the trees all rise up as i gaze at the stars in the dark sky above. The music is soon punctuated by the haunting calls of a pair of great horned owls. I painted Night Music to remember this magical experience.  

In the realm where Veil reigns supreme, Curiosity dances like a shimmering dream. Beyond its folds, mysteries softly gleam, Inviting hearts to explore and redeem. Veil invites viewers into a realm where curiosity reigns supreme and fear of the unknown dissipates. Against a backdrop of deep blues and shimmering stars, a young girl boldly parts a veil, revealing a mysterious and enchanting sky beyond. The surrealistic elements, accentuated by subtle hints of purple undertones, evoke a sense of wonder and intrigue. Through this painting, I seek to celebrate the beauty of exploration and the courage it takes to embrace the mysteries that lie beyond the confines of our eve.