Many
of the perspectives these pieces depict come from my own journey as
well as my background in counseling. I think the ability to look upon
our life with humor and gratitude for lessons learned is the evidence of
true personal growth. My hope is that the characters in this series
reflect the same. As wit mixes with a bit of wisdom, my goal is to lend
a perspective of hope and humility to our sometimes all-to-human
condition.
Planned as an
ongoing series, here are just six of the pieces I have recently
finished. Some of these hang independently, while others are grouped
into one piece. Yet even those connected in a group manner will be
finished separately, each portrayal bound with their own 'limits and
boundaries'. Having facilitated individual as well as 'group sessions'
in my work with women's issues I feel these pieces lend themselves
wonderfully to mimicking that dynamic.
Anyone
working in the addiction recovery arena will relate to most of the
messages conveyed in this work. I have a great affection for both the
colleagues and clients I have met in my life that remain dedicated to a
quality of life beyond sobriety or co-dependence. This series is my nod
to that work and that choice. Recovering individuals are among some of
the strongest people I have ever had the privilege of knowing, and I
truly enjoy creatively celebrating their courage and tenacity. I also know that
sometimes what is obvious to others is often unrecognizable to the
person living in the midst of dysfunction. To those, perhaps one or
more of these will offer a bit of enlightenment in a non-threatening
context.
Words
are just symbols, pointing, as imagery does, to those places inside
ourselves beyond words and images. I believe they are the mile markers
on a journey waking us to higher and higher states of consciousness. My
artwork is simply a contribution to that cause.
