Self-Portraits the original "Selfie"
The artworks on this page have been created to get viewers to ask questions and to deliver a message about issues relevant to the current time. Self-Portraits have become increasingly important to me over the last year while working on portraits of a client for a collaboration. I think it is always a good idea to grow as an artist by creating work outside of your comfort zone. Although I usually create about one self-portrait a year, this series has been a time of self discovery and figuring out how I can make a difference in the world.
Chuck Close once said, "I drew myself because I was the only one in the room".
Reflect
"Reflect". The word can mean so many things. It can be about reflecting inward or reflecting outward.
Searching Myself 4
Continuing to search myself myself for who I am and how I can educate myself to be a more inclusive teacher, artist and human
Waiting to exhale
Waiting to exhale
The monarch butterfly can symbolize hope, resilience, strength, spirituality, trust, standing for what they believe in, transformation, evolution, but most importantly rebirth.
The monarch butterfly can symbolize hope, resilience, strength, spirituality, trust, standing for what they believe in, transformation, evolution, but most importantly rebirth.
The Light
“For there is always light,
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.” -Amanda Gorman
Back in January, my kids were out doing a scavenger hunt and I found myself alone in my classroom. I turned on the Inauguration just as Amanda Gorman, an artist of words, began to speak. I was immediately captivated by her words that not only painted a picture of truth but also of hope. The only thing that resonated with me as much as her words was the delivery in which she spoke them. Throughout her entire poem, my mind kept coming back to my favorite Ruth Bader Ginsburg quote, “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” The last three lines of Amanda Gorman’s poem above inspired me immediately to create an artwork, but it would be some time before the image would reveal itself. As I was finally putting away my Christmas decorations and rolling up the lights as carefully as I could knowing full well they would come out of the box in a giant tangle come next year, I began looking closely at the wires. I noticed how elaborately twisted they were and how the entire strand works together to create this beautiful glow that can light up an entire room…it was also not lost on me that when one light burns out, they all go out. Individually, each light is tiny, but as an entirely working strand, the brightness the tiny lights can produce is magic. “For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” People often ask me, what’s with all the self-portraits? My reply: “Good art is not about matching your sofa, but about the conversation it starts”. I am eternally inspired by badass women. It doesn’t matter who they are or what their profession is, what matters is the kind of human they are. How are they fighting for the things they care about, and how are they leading others to join them? It would be easy to just create an image of them, but there are reasons out of my control that I rarely take that approach. The logistical reason is that I only work from real life or my own photos and unfortunately these badass women are not hanging around in my studio, but beyond that, I use self-portraits to show how their badassery is moving through the world and leading others to join them.
if only we’re brave enough to see it.
If only we’re brave enough to be it.” -Amanda Gorman
Back in January, my kids were out doing a scavenger hunt and I found myself alone in my classroom. I turned on the Inauguration just as Amanda Gorman, an artist of words, began to speak. I was immediately captivated by her words that not only painted a picture of truth but also of hope. The only thing that resonated with me as much as her words was the delivery in which she spoke them. Throughout her entire poem, my mind kept coming back to my favorite Ruth Bader Ginsburg quote, “Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” The last three lines of Amanda Gorman’s poem above inspired me immediately to create an artwork, but it would be some time before the image would reveal itself. As I was finally putting away my Christmas decorations and rolling up the lights as carefully as I could knowing full well they would come out of the box in a giant tangle come next year, I began looking closely at the wires. I noticed how elaborately twisted they were and how the entire strand works together to create this beautiful glow that can light up an entire room…it was also not lost on me that when one light burns out, they all go out. Individually, each light is tiny, but as an entirely working strand, the brightness the tiny lights can produce is magic. “For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it. If only we’re brave enough to be it.” People often ask me, what’s with all the self-portraits? My reply: “Good art is not about matching your sofa, but about the conversation it starts”. I am eternally inspired by badass women. It doesn’t matter who they are or what their profession is, what matters is the kind of human they are. How are they fighting for the things they care about, and how are they leading others to join them? It would be easy to just create an image of them, but there are reasons out of my control that I rarely take that approach. The logistical reason is that I only work from real life or my own photos and unfortunately these badass women are not hanging around in my studio, but beyond that, I use self-portraits to show how their badassery is moving through the world and leading others to join them.
Searching Myself series
2020 has been full of a lot of moments that have caused me to search myself for who I am and how I can educate myself to be a more inclusive teacher, artist and human
Be genuine even if you stand out 2
In a sea of conformity where everyone blends in because they all look the same, be genuine even if you stand out. Let what makes you different rise to the surface and become clear. If you are too afraid to be different from the world, how can you make a difference in the world?
And the world will be as one III
Full disclosure...I'm not even little bit girly. I don't like to shop...at all...so I signed up for a mail order clothing service. I rarely wear dresses, RARELY, but when this dress came with my shipment something about the lines intrigued me. I have always loved art related to the Op Art (Optical Art) movement and this piece just spoke to me. It has been hanging in my studio for a while screaming to be an artwork. What I like about the dress is the stark contrast of perfect black and white lines....but decided to draw them anything but because, well that is who we are as humans. "And the world will be as one" Inspired by John Lennon's "Imagine" lyrics. Color, size, shape, preferences don't have to keep us from living as one. "I hope someday you'll join us" This piece was created using many different media and application to reflect the different people in the world. People can be vibrant, subtle, colorful, messy, imperfect, etc. but they all have value and similar elements that weave them together to work as one.
If people were donuts...
If you want this artwork to just be about delicious donuts, stop reading now. If you know me at all, you know how much I love donuts. I talk about them way more than I actually eat them. In keeping with my "and the world will be as one" series inspired by John Lennon's song, "Imagine", I began to look at donuts like people....or people like donuts. When you go to the bakery to pick donuts, most of the time, they are behind glass and sometimes even behind a counter behind glass. You can't touch them or taste them ahead of time, you make your choices based on looks only unless you have had them before. Meeting people is the same....we can only see what they want us to see. Like donuts some people wear all of their goodness on the outside like icing, stripes, glaze and rainbow sprinkles. What is on the outside attracts your attention and you take a leap. Other donuts and people are plain on the outside....no icing or just white or brown icing, but on the inside they can be filled with a goodness you can't see. Only once you take a chance on them, will you find out what is inside.The most underrated donut is the glazed donut....what you see is what you get. It's not even a little flashy, there are no surprises waiting on the inside, but it's loyal. You can count on it to always be there and to be good. Every now and then you find a donut that has icing, sprinkles, and chocolate chips on the outside and a surprise yumminess on the inside. When this happens, you feel like you hit the lottery. When I go donut shopping, I definitely have my favorites, but I always try new ones. I make a few selections and then tell the person behind the counter to mix and match to reach a dozen. I then like to cut them into smaller pieces to try them all because they all have a quality that makes them unique and depending on the situation my favorite. Sometimes, donuts are even a little nutty....so are people. Wouldn't it be great if we gave all people the same chance we gave donuts? If we took chances on people to find the goodness inside? I have met a lot of donuts that at first glance I did not think I would find appealing but color, size, shape and preferences don't have to keep us from living as one.
And the world will be as one II
"And the world will be as one" Inspired by John Lennon's "Imagine" lyrics. Color, size, shape, preferences don't have to keep us from living as one. "I hope someday you'll join us" This piece was created using many different media to reflect the different people in the world. People can be vibrant, subtle, colorful, etc. but they all have value and similar elements that weave them together to work as one.
When Thoughts Defy Gravity
I will create art specifically for Call for Entries when I feel like they speak to me and the artwork I create. Recently I read a call for "Movement". Immediately my brain began to brainstorm a million ideas. Not being able to narrow it down to just one I decided to try to depict that movement of brainstorming. What does that spinning look like inside my head? The process of brainstorming any idea, visualizing it, creating it...it's a movement all of its own. The whole process of expression is exhilarating, scary, messy, beautiful, all consuming, relentless and completely magical. It's like giving birth to this idea that comes out at its own speed with a million things going right and wrong until what you are trying to say becomes a reality. Sometimes the end product is exactly how you pictured it and other times your idea takes on a life of its own. "When Thoughts Defy Gravity" is a final product about the process.
Infinite
"Infinite" is part of my John Lennon series from the song "Imagine", "and the world will be as one". Color, size, shape and preferences don't have to keep us from living as one as our possibilities could be infinite. I created the actual infinity scarf years ago with fabric remnants including the vintage one form my mom. They have many different textures and colors but when sewn together they create a sense of comfort that sees no beginning and not end.
Alone with my thoughts
Alone with my thoughts started as an experimental study for a larger work but I ended up really getting into it and it became a finished piece.
#DreamersAlwaysWin
Sometimes themes or conversations that you have started collide into one artwork. "Not all who wander are lost", "Be a Reflection", "Be Genuine", "And the world will be as one". I am such a dreamer as I believe in each one of these ideas becoming a reality.
And the world will be as one
"And the world will be as one" Inspired by John Lennon's "Imagine" lyrics. Color, size, shape, preferences don't have to keep us from living as one. "I hope someday you'll join us"
Cast your own shadow
In continuing to create self-portraits that may not include an actual person, these well worn Chucks are mine. By the end of their time with me, one of the biggest things I try to teach my kids is that "If you are too afraid to be different from the world, how can you make a difference in the world". Even though the shoes all look the same when they come out of the box, they are all worn uniquely and will very quickly take a slightly different shape in which you can cast your own shadow on the world
Imagine all the people living life in peace
This artwork is inspired by John Lennon's "Imagine". I find the lyrics just beautiful and relevant to our current time in this country.
Above us only sky
This artwork is inspired by John Lennon's "Imagine". I find the lyrics just beautiful and relevant to our current time in this country.
You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one
This artwork is inspired by John Lennon's "Imagine". I find the lyrics just beautiful and relevant to our current time in this country.
#MyOnlyGuns
Being a teacher is an awesome responsibility to not only teach tiny humans but to keep them safe in our schools. This artwork is a statement about the thought of arming teachers. It is ridiculous to ever think that the same people who are throwing themselves between the bullets and their kids would ever be willing to be the people to fire bullets. #MyOnlyGuns I ever want to pack in my classroom can be seen here. Fellow educators, please roll up your sleeves and join me.
#NeverAgain
As both an artist and a teacher I have double the opportunity and responsibility to create, foster and ask for change for our tiny humans.Individual kids and teachers cannot be restocked as we all leave a unique imprint on everything we touch #NeverAagain is a reaction to the gun violence in our schools and the need for change.
#BeGenuine
"#BeGenuine...Even If You Stand Out", is of course about being yourself even if it means being noticed. As a teacher there are a lot of character traits I try to teach my kids but this is one of the most important ones. They shouldn't have to be brave to be themselves. They should just be able to "be". I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up as an artist. It gave me an "artistic license" if you will, to be myself. Artists are given a free pass to be themselves without judgement. Wouldn't it be great if everyone was given a free pass. One of my favorite quotes, "If you are too afraid to be different from the world, how can you make a difference in the world."
#BeAReflection2
#BeAReflection2- Sometimes artwork is created to get viewers to ask questions. What does "The Future Is Female" mean? It has had a lot of meanings over the years and I ask that you become informed and decide what it means to you. (This artwork was created as part of my #BeAReflection series)
#BeAReflection
#BeAReflection - Is simply a plea for people to reflect what they want to see in others. Whether it be love, kindness, compassion...be willing to spread the good vibes you hope to see in return. It's not enough to just talk about how you hope to see these things, be a reflection of them. (This artwork was created as part of my #BeAReflection series)
Peace, Love, Made in the USA
"Peace, Love, Made in the USA"-How to really make America great again. I've had this image inside my head for the last several months. As an artist and art teacher, I feel like I have double the responsibility to create images to encourage change. I spent the last week discussing the meaning of this quote with my kids (students), "If you are too afraid to be different from the world, how can you make a difference in the world." After encouraging my students to "be genuine even if you stand out", I decided this artwork could no longer live inside my head. Everyone has an opinion as to what would make America great again and this one is mine. I teach art. I teach expression, creativity, problem solving-the innovators of tomorrow and I teach kindness and compassion-the humans of tomorrow. Getting to be a teacher is the greatest gift to make a difference, but anyone who has any contact with kids is a teacher. Kids are listening. I know they are listening because they can tell you all about my obsession with pizza, donuts, coffee, trees, the environment and the color green because I have blabbered on about it in their art classes for years when we are brainstorming for artworks. Kids are listening. They need more role models that are kind especially at this moment in our country. Kind tiny humans grow up to be kind adult humans. Humans that are kind to each other just because.....I implore you to be one of those kind humans. Kids are listening.
***The "Made in the USA" is about making our own goods.
(This artwork was created as part of my #BeAReflection series)
***The "Made in the USA" is about making our own goods.
(This artwork was created as part of my #BeAReflection series)
The following artwork was created for the theme, "Aged". If I had known all that laughing was gonna cause these wrinkles around my eyes, I would have lived a much more serious life. Just kidding, but I have to admit, the "Dream" filter in the Photoshop Elements App is my new best friend. It erases my crow's feet perfectly. I look years younger at the click of a button. I draw a self-portrait at least once a year and I use my inner App always editing out my wrinkles...in self-portrait world, I haven't aged a bit. With this artwork titled, "Laughing at Crow's Feet #Nofilter", I decided to embrace and laugh at, if you will, the wrinkles because life is too short to take yourself too seriously. (This artwork was created as part of my #BeAReflection series)
"Neon"
The following artworks were created for the theme, "Neon". Red Tree gallery gives the artist the opportunity to interpret the theme. I wasn't sure of my plan at this point, so I drove around and took pics of neon signs. As I looked at the images on my screen, I began seeing other words I could make given the letters in the signs. I brainstormed new messages, but I wanted to make the messages interesting so that they would speak to people. I decided to create them to look like ransom notes.....holding my demands (if you will) for the viewers. "Be Genuine Even If You Stand Out", is of course about being yourself even if it means being noticed. "Be Kind", "Be Wise", and "Be Love" are pretty self explanatory. "Be Open" is about being open to anything...we get so caught up in who we already think we are or who others should be that we sometimes aren't willing to be open to new things, adventures, or people. "Be Out" is not about any specific thing, but about all things that make you who you are...be out about them. "Be ______" is a fill in the blank ransom note for the buyer to personalize...we are all working on our own messages. I feel incredibly lucky to have grown up as an artist. It gave me an "artistic license" if you will, to be myself. Artists are given a free pass to be themselves without judgement. Wouldn't it be great if everyone was given a free pass. One of my favorite quotes, "If you are too afraid to be different from the world, how can you make a difference in the world."