Life as I see it

Painting inside out

I am an artist who uses personal iconography and the human form to explore conundrums of the modern family. Starting with an idea probably sparked by a photograph, I create narratives in oil paint that exhume my subconscious ruminations. My work expresses the complexities and hidden tensions of my own self-definition as a mother and artist. Often the process of painting helps me make sense of personally controversial issues, e.g., Is it really a good idea to teach my daughters to be polite? Would it be better to teach them to stand up for themselves at the expense of another’s feelings? My process of imagery selection and manipulation and the amount of time spent with each idea makes me better able to understand the world. For instance, when I ask myself, “Why am I painting this?”, I have a chance to explore ideas that come up, such as the ingrained cultural limitations I am operating under and how I feel them, or how I pass these limitations on. These realizations help shape the positive change I am working towards in myself, my family, my community, and the world; and give me confidence that I am being a healthy and productive role-model for my kids.