Art Angels 2024

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.  

Iridescent colors evoke the dazzling spectrum of humanity, with varied hues that meet and merge, illustrating the beautiful complexity of a diverse community. Inspired by the unity and strength that emerges when individuals from disparate backgrounds come together, this artwork celebrates the vibrant tapestry of human connections and the collective power that can be woven from our differences.  

My inspiration is the view out my window, but I want to capture the light and the response I have to the view, not the exact scene.  

The "Woven View" sculptural dress, meticulously crafted and stitched from a canvas painting, echoes the resilience and narratives of Palestinian culture. Inspired by the traditional embroidered Palestinian Thobe, it links Palestinians to their homeland and reflects cultural self-expression and identity. By cutting and stitching canvas, the dress creates a borderless composition, symbolizing the ongoing struggle and resilience of a society forced into scattered exile. It represents the unwavering determination to reclaim autonomy and pursue a brighter future, embodying the spirit of defying injustices to preserve identity and hope.  

This painting, Star Mass, was inspired by the poem, The Sleeping Prophet (Astronomy of Love) written by Josepha Gutelius. The materiality of this poem really spoke to me, especially the lines, "Every one of us in the plush arms of giants, crammed full of dreams and milk and star mass." (copyright Josepha Gutelius) Those lines evoke thoughts of life, death and rebirth - the fiery moment when a star flares out or when a soul's new journey begins.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

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.  

This piece continues to explore color and marks as a means to connect with current events, mood and temperament.  

Primarily rooted in abstract expressionism, my paintings reflect an evolving universe where communication is less concrete. My visual language evolved with my own memories and experiences making up the stories I needed to tell through my art. This process-oriented work explores themes of the human condition, identity, and self-reflection. It takes me back to bright spots in my memory when I felt close to starting a new chapter and the decision felt right - it felt like the punctuating marks of time of a sunrise and a sunset. The promise of a new day and the magic light that happens at both hours.