An intimate part of  the show are the writings from the journey of my work. As I completed the labels and added my words to the walls I felt I would also place them here with images to surround them, to include some of the emotional content that was part of creating this exhibit.

 

R E L I E F : my definition : Creating an altered surface. Somehow lifting things forward or moving over other things.

 

 

 

Human L A N D S C A P E :

Process : Discarded drawings painted over. Back to sessions with the model and draw again. Paint eraser conte crayon flannel pastel graphite; layers enriching lines pulling on the figures. Often the whole paper wiped, leaving only a faint trace  . . . then again . . .

Smearing drawing erasing scrubbing off areas scratching scribbling. In time I stopped watching and joined with the work climbing into the surfaces.

Exploring red oxide and gold leaf over the skies, creating bright space above the horizon . . .  mark, colour, texture, surface found harmony. I felt the paper sing.

Connecting papers is something I have played with for many years.  This series was created over four months of life drawing sessions. When papers emerged they seemed to fall into a natural sequence, into a larger form of the experience.

The series became E I G H T papers…here is a slideshow of the series, just click on the first image and it will lead you through the sequence  . . .

 

 

 

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To speak about a place of deep insecurity, of searching for  r e l i e f :      As I joined the surfaces during drawing sessions, as the work found strength and harmony in the sky, as I began to hold a paintbrush as I would a piece of graphite or conte  . . .  in those moments I found release.

 

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Reflecting on Angels:

Symbolic of hope, flying, mischief, love, afterlife

I do not see the wings … to me angels are those who cross or enter your path without marking it . . . shifting perspective, opening possibility at the heart.

Breath of fresh air … purity and light … movement … raw kindness

If one became aware of the wings, there would then be the need to learn how to use them.

 

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Finding Relief : the connecting of different practices, using the strength of each … hitting straight through the lines, the layers, the doorways … then humbly starting again.

 

 

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Because liberty and ability was pushed gently towards strength, once I could hear him I was able to express with greater freedom … the gold layer brought both discovery and completion ~ like a crowning of the years it has taken to make these marks of emerging confidence.

 

 

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This work is my evolution, my relief.

I have always loved the idea of painting … somehow felt marked for it … in critique there has often been disfavour and discouragement … in reaction I have shied away.

I have returned repeatedly to the brushes, and the connection remains tentative. The desire to unearth deeper significance aches within and does not let go.

 

 

The  p o e m s . . .

 

Insecurity                                                                                              

Deep                                                                                                    

Growing like sharp teeth on tender flesh                                                     

Like ancient rumours of bad blood.                                                            

                                                                                                            

In a flicker of remembering                                                                      

Reduced to the most intimate darkness.  

 

 

Isolation     deep                                                                                                    

Playful     solemn

Intriguing     distant

Life     intensely     moving

Inside     the     stillness

Feeling     like     touching

Speaking     of     nothing                   

Longing  

 

    

 

A beggar

Crying for applause

Approval

Wishing a stranger would recognize some greatness

And lift me up.

 

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If I were to simplify all the words it would be that what has always been in my heart and soul … at last has entered my blood.

 

 

 

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The show now  rests  . . .  with   y o u .