the "AND" series
Paintings created on canvas, layered with Japanese rice paper, ink and hundreds of translucent layers of acrylic paint to give the paintings a luminescent glow of life.
The "AND Series" is an exploration of the healing concept of the word, 'and.' For me, the word 'and' is expansive, inclusive, abundant, and offers a whole realm of gray, in between the black 'or' white, where opportunities and possibilities exist and are waiting to be explored!
The artwork from this series, like all my art series, is a personal and emotional response to life. In these current, uncertain times, I was filled with fear, upset, and mistrust with our world leaders, including our own Donald Trump. When I went into the art studio, I was not at all inspired, and in fact, I forced myself to paint because painting is healing for me. It is the way I tap into my highest wisdom.
The first painting I did, "A Prayer for Peace," began as an emotional gut response of spilling black tears and blood on a map of the world. However, my highest power began flowing through me, and would not let me sit in fear. Instead, it sparked in me a thought, "How can the world heal?" Ideas such as tolerance, understanding, acceptance, inclusion, cooperation and collaboration came to me. I realized that all of those ideas were summed up in the word, "and." Thus, the "AND" series was born.
Other paintings followed, some political statements of inquiry and others are more exploratory of the concept.
What I realized through this process of painting and then sharing my explanations of my work with others was that I was more curious to hear what their stories were than always repeating mine.
This is where the idea to hold the Art Inspired Salon Series came from.... Wanting to bring people together in a safe space to openly share their ideas and insights, be witnessed and together brainstorm POSITIVE action that we can commit to on a personal level to ignite a revolution of positive change.
I invite you to join the conversation! Either in person by attending an Art Inspired Salon, or on-line. I want to open dialog, have constructive conversation and together we can figure out a solution...one that may not be readily apparent...but does exist - perhaps somewhere in the 'AND' gray zone between the black 'or' white.
#AND.... JOIN THE CONVERSATION!
