Thursday, January 31, 2008

Crossing curtains ink and watercolor doodle


Busy day today...this is all I could do this evening- more of a doodle than a painting. No idea what it is about.

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Luggage in River Current


Thanks, Krisse for the brainstorm. I wish I could tell everybody about your incredible work- but you don't have a website or a blog. Why not? This small 9 x 10 inch painting is watercolor and ink on paper. When I think of water I think of tears, the source, flowing movement, murky depths, danger and erosion, shifting surfaces, floating, sinking, mirrors and boundaries, 90% of our bodies, life, crossing to death, separation, risk...

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Crossing a river


This is a sketch of an idea. It is as simple as it is complex. My mind is like the surface of the water- a bit stormy and swirly. One thing lost is any sense of justice. Seems bad things happen to good people and vice versa. One thing gained is the satisfaction and good feeling that comes from helping others in need. Meanwhile I am just bobbing along on the water.

Monday, January 28, 2008

The verdict, then prayer and now obituary




I did this today: a collage of newspaper with watercolor and pen, 9x 10 inches or so. Years ago- in 2004 when my friend got her second diagnosis of cancer I made the mask- called, "Oh God". It was what I had at hand... is cardboard, rope, plaster gauze, about 12 x 14 x 5 inches.
In the midst of my gloom I noticed that it didn't get dark today until about 5:15! Did the world actually shift toward the sun?

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Curtains


I made this in the hours before the actual funeral. It calmed my nerves and I thought the event might manifest into a somber farewell review- but instead it was very different-Lots of alumni showed up and ex-faculty were reunited. People brought pictures of their children, told me of their new jobs. It was stories shared about Jen that were full of wonder and consensus. We laughed! We cried. We were happy to see each other...I guess we connected in the fact that Jen was important to all of us.
Tonight- walking the dog- under the brilliant starry sky, I felt her soul sweep about me. I want to keep her near and never forget her. Acrylic on paper with map collage almost 9 x 10 inches.

Thursday, January 24, 2008

QUESTION IN THE LANDSCAPE



I saw this from the road...giant letters spelling it out. Upon closer inspection I see a row of gravestones...

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Candle light, smoldering, extinguished

SOLD- I THINK
Doubt and Faith seemed entwined. The enormous impact of this loss leaves me wandering and wondering. I attend to daily needs, attempt to do the right thing by my sons, and take time to sit with my thoughts and persevere. This 7 x 5 inch sewn paper painting was made earlier- it seems appropriate for the moment.

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

art calendar

Thank you Diana Moses Botkin. See her mention of me in article in Art Calendar this month (Feb 08) about selling on line.
http://artcalendar.com/article.asp?ID=58

Pray and cook


Collage paint paper
My voice sounds so strangely normal when I speak-shouldn't it be trembly and weepy like my insides?
I have decided to cook. I am cooking brownies, cornbread, peanut butter cookies, mustard chicken, brussel sprouts, brown rice, beef stew, garlic bread...

Monday, January 21, 2008

Jen's soul is released


Oh, I can't really capture the words I read and prayed...and though it was a good thing, I wonder if the ache in my stomach will ever go away and how am I supposed function like normal now...

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Window with calling and mourning birds



NOT FOR SALE
There has been a powerful synchronicity today, in symbols, especially birds calling at the window, and raptors perched, fat and fluffy, above the driveway, and the appearance of gifted cardboard mobiles over the bed... pointing me towards a belief in the poetry of the soul. It is the ladder lifting me above the mundane life of lists, laundry, committees, and other social decorations. I made this as a gift for the family of my good angel friend. It is painted and drawn on maps...trying to find our way.

Saturday, January 19, 2008

On the Forest Path


I am inspired to start a lens (Squidoo) on the art of dying and mourning your friend. Anyone out there ever done that?
Painting on collaged maps with ink...12 x 12 inches.

Friday, January 18, 2008

Birds at the window


SOLD
It's quiet a phenomena- the room where my friend lies is lit with a golden energy, birds gather at the window, the cat curls next to her never leaving. I read poetry. This is in my atlas collection- a painted and drawn collage of maps.

Thursday, January 17, 2008

witness to another type of journey


This is about daily painting, death, family, food, meals, travel, maps, and it is Very Private...I feel REALLY privileged to be part of it.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

OPENING IN NYC!

I rushed home from Florida to attend the opening at the Westside Gallery (137 W 21st/NYC) of a group show of work, including mine, created while traveling abroad. Thanks to Leesah and Deborah for attending with me- and it was lovely seeing Elena. meeting Rocky, seeing Jennifer (meeting Todd), not enough time-Ray, Raul and DORA! Thank you- it was tons of fun and I am sorry I left in a hurry. Had a train to catch!

COCONUT- my florida family tree


Just spent a quick weekend with family in Florida and, Wow- we are a bunch of nuts! In the driveway I found and painted a fallen bracht from a palm tree- it had interesting, curving, alternate, branches and suction-cup looking joints where the flowers once held on. Can't help but think it apropo for our family tree.

Monday, January 14, 2008

Portraits in view



Here are a couple quick portraits. Of me and my husband Rick, they are made with stamps, maps,and ink. WHERE we are and WHO we are seems only a result of HOW we got there. What do you think?

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Tissue in yellow room


7 X 7 INCHES,ACRYLIC COLLAGE ON PAPER SOLD
I could call this the "poetry of tears". It is a fragment combining moment and memory.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

Car Cartographer


12 x 12 inches acrylic on paper with collage
There is a saying in our household. when someone asks, "where are you going?". The answer is "Crazy. Want to come?"

Friday, January 11, 2008

Rainy Day on the Road


12 x 12 inches my daily painting on maps. It's all about the morning commute- the blur of action transporting my son- with his two ton backpack, his base guitar and his crutches- ten miles to school. It is a road where many people have died in freakish one car accidents...This is where we first greet the world each weekday morning, starting with the farmer's grudging wave next door, the truckers splashing to slowly turn into the Round Tuit parking lot, the herd of cows pressing against the gate to cross, the frisky Chinese children at the village bus stop, and hitchhiking Danny who picks up cans along the road, right before the high hedge with leaping deer, and the intersection with three gas stations, to the blinking light induced alternating auto right of way, past the hidden trooper with his speed radar, to the steps of the school with the waving greeting of the headmaster.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

From Bed to the plant- I'm still in the woods


First things first...this painting is the third in my collection of map diagrams helping me find my way. One step at a time. Thank you for your patience with my sorry self pitying art...I have to visually discover my path.

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Map: I went to Manhattan with my art


Here I am!
I delivered work to gallery in Chelsea (The Westside Gallery on 21st Street) with my friend Elana Goren-www.spiderink.com. We had beautiful- through freaky warm January weather and smooth sailing in and out of the city. Before we left the island to head home we ate at an awesome vegan restaurant-Gobe. They pride themselves in being a feast for the five senses!
7 x 9 inches collage on paper

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

MAP abstract chart of my location


7 1/2 x 5 3/4 inches acrylic and collage on paper
I feel lost- This started with a scrap of a map of Hells Kitchen and Fork. I just added the children...