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.

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...

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.

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?

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.

QUESTION IN THE LANDSCAPE

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

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.

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...

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...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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?"

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.

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.

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

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...