Dolls and Child's Play: Recent Works

As always, my work is inspired by personal experiences, thoughts and emotions. When I paint and create, my mind is focused on my own reflections and responses to the happenings of life rather than the actual painting process and image making. I consistently say that I paint "who I am." Of course, like most individuals, there are many facets to my interests,personality and roles that I assume. Consequently the subject matter of my work varies and often the technique itself. But all of it is me...my marks, my images, my passions. I am both woman and child, mother, daughter, partner and friend.

I also work in a series format because my ideas regarding the same "theme" are abundant. A single image is often not an adequate representation of my concept and so multiple compositions allow me to explore and experiment.So featured here are recent works addressing two new series of works: the "Doll" series and "Child's Play."

Doll

Captured

The "Doll" images address the social and sexual well behaved female. I will elaborate on this in a future post. The "Child's Play" series , in essence, explores the value of play as an investigation of self and environment in youth. It also addresses the unique and sometimes deviant behaviors that are revealed in response to the imposed stresses and constraints of life . Children develop skills and define interests as a result of play.

Featured here is a glimpse of my initial attempts to explore these themes. There is more to come...I promise!

Magical Muse:Deborah Darling

As an artist, inspiration comes from a variety of sources.I am an "emotional" painter. I paint what I love and how I feel. I translate emotions, stories and dreams into imagery.I never seem to successfully convey all that I imagine or experience, but I continue to try.
There are times when I am overwhelmed by the grit and grind of daily life ,both personal and professional, and I look to my art to find solace and focus. The comfort and challenge of the process of painting is much like meditation and allows me to disconnect from my thoughts. As of late, even painting fails to ease my mind. Fortunately,each day presents new opportunities and time passes without regard for our wasted moments ,mental wages and woes.

Occasionally, unexpected inspiration, a muse if you will, appears and redirects my attention once again, to my greatest purpose: my art. Deborah Darling, an England based doll maker and merchant, discovered my work online. I was immediately enchanted by her unique beauty and creative vision.There was no option other than to paint for her. I  am currently working on a series, that celebrates the wonder and whimsy of this kindred spirit, Deborah Darling: Maker of Dolls and Dreams.

Deborah  reminded me that I have a responsibility to myself as an artist to continue to create. When I paint, I find strength and see beauty. I find peace. I find me.

"One expected growth, change; without it, the world was less, the well of inspiration dried up, the muses fled.” ~Charles de Lint Kenneth Hildebrand

"Strong lives are motivated by dynamic purposes; lesser ones exist on wishes and inclinations."
We are shaped and fashioned by what we love. ~ Goethe