Cakes have played a prominent role in my work for a very long time.
Those cakes, which arrived unbidden in the still lifes and began to take on a life of their own, call to mind the celebrations and time markings in all people’s lives—birthdays, anniversaries weddings, confirmation, gatherings after funerals, holidays, every days.
Whether fabulously frosted and tantalizing lush or plain, sturdy and steadfast, these cakes take us through life’s rituals. Since cake is rarely eaten alone, the community that shares it is a vital piece of that cycle.
Gratitutions is the result of a two-year journey into memory.
Originally made up of 100 twelve-inch acrylic painted canvas squares, each piece evokes the raw remembrance of tiny, often random, sometimes painful, frequently glorious moments. The loose, joyful, gestural brushwork emphasizes the artists’ belief ultimately in the joy of living and the bright light that reflects. Incomplete images share the stage with more detailed, carefully rendered paintings as the work catalogues the experiences and challenges of family, friends, work and community. Though personal in nature, there is universality about the images, reflecting the quotidian moments that make up a lifetime.
Since 1964 Jewish New Year cards were created as an annual gift to my personal community of family and friends.
Over the years the cards have become more sophisticated and intricate. Prose, poetry and personal meditations have combined with the often painted or multi-media art image and the entire process has become joyful and challenging.
People are at the heart of my artistic genre.
People engage in a variety of experiences, but their interaction with family, friends, history and memory make up the richness of the palette. Whether in groups of two or many, whether in the same current time place or scattered across generations, the images speak to each of us.
Artists make art because they have to. There is a physical, psychological urge to do so. Artists feel more complete when making art. In the section of crowds at an opening night, artists engage the “audience”, to share views and hear responses. An opening night provides conversation, curiosity satisfied or excited, involvement with the art community and the opportunity to partner with the artists in their magic world of art making. That body of work is dedicated to that audience.
From time to time, a variety of processes have been utilized to meet exhibition criteria for shows or commissions.
The works often require a variety of materials and design choice. The beaded globe, for example, with the partner globe made of garbage, was for a show on the Waters of Creation. The painting of the pomegranate was created for a donation card. A contest at the MIA was the catalyst for the mosaic box.
