Seeing it My Way
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ARTIST'S STATEMENT FOR SOLO SHOW: October 2009
SEEING IT MY WAY
Step closer and the natural world becomes a journey of emotions.
My idea for this show initially came from my relationship with the natural world. I not only appreciate the expansive landscape, but also the close, intimate view of nature. In particular, I enjoy walking along the shorelines of lakes, rivers, and marshes and studying the objects and what lies beneath the surface of the water.
What I discovered was an unexpected surprise. I started to see a correlation between the objects and patterns that I found in nature with the events that have occurred in my life over the last two to three years. My employment was suddenly terminated about a year and a half ago. My husband and I were thrust into a myriad of financial problems involving health insurance coverage, payment of bills and the mortgage, and the overwhelming issue of not being able to find another job. Needless to say, the emotional toll was significant.
Being unemployed allowed me to spend more time in the great outdoors painting and just connecting with the environment wherever I might be. Words and phrases started to come to mind as my thoughts focused on the paintings for this show. Rocks left behind as the water receded along a lakeshore mimicked the feelings of being left high and dry after losing my job. Discovering icicles under a rocky bluff that were slowing melting in the late winter sun reminded me that it would be only a matter of time before a job would come along. Once my mind started along this path, the associations flowed.
Putting this show together has been an unforeseen journey that I intend to continue. It not only fulfilled my creative desires, but also provided a therapeutic and healing experience. The experience (both the paintings and unemployment) has impacted my art in a most astonishing and unpredictable manner. I have come to realize to expect the unexpected!
October 2009
ARTIST'S STATEMENT FOR SOLO SHOW: October 2009
SEEING IT MY WAY
Step closer and the natural world becomes a journey of emotions.
My idea for this show initially came from my relationship with the natural world. I not only appreciate the expansive landscape, but also the close, intimate view of nature. In particular, I enjoy walking along the shorelines of lakes, rivers, and marshes and studying the objects and what lies beneath the surface of the water.
What I discovered was an unexpected surprise. I started to see a correlation between the objects and patterns that I found in nature with the events that have occurred in my life over the last two to three years. My employment was suddenly terminated about a year and a half ago. My husband and I were thrust into a myriad of financial problems involving health insurance coverage, payment of bills and the mortgage, and the overwhelming issue of not being able to find another job. Needless to say, the emotional toll was significant.
Being unemployed allowed me to spend more time in the great outdoors painting and just connecting with the environment wherever I might be. Words and phrases started to come to mind as my thoughts focused on the paintings for this show. Rocks left behind as the water receded along a lakeshore mimicked the feelings of being left high and dry after losing my job. Discovering icicles under a rocky bluff that were slowing melting in the late winter sun reminded me that it would be only a matter of time before a job would come along. Once my mind started along this path, the associations flowed.
Putting this show together has been an unforeseen journey that I intend to continue. It not only fulfilled my creative desires, but also provided a therapeutic and healing experience. The experience (both the paintings and unemployment) has impacted my art in a most astonishing and unpredictable manner. I have come to realize to expect the unexpected!
October 2009
