Artist Statement:
My art is all about the story and psychology of the concept of home. My stories are a marriage of lines, colors, forms, textures, and sometimes text, and they are influenced by the simplicities and routines of everyday life, the complexities of social dynamics and gender, and at times, the traumatic experiences within the home and family. At the center of my home is always the woman, mother, goddess, and creator. The woman sage is a role of strength, mystery, humor, and sometimes rage.
We are shaped by our childhood experiences. The cultural influences of the 60s, 70s, and 80s resonate deeply with me as an adult. The intense impact they had on me during different stages of my life—as a child, teenager, and young adult fuels my fascination with the gender roles prevalent during those eras and seen in soap operas, movies, advertisements, and story books.
I was acutely aware of societal expectations regarding gender roles: femininity and masculinity and familial expectations to perform at being good, socially acceptable, and responsible. My life was to be a reflection of my parents—not me. Because the prevailing notion of the 50s and 60s was that children should be seen and not heard, I witnessed firsthand adult dramas, conversations, and arguments. I keenly observed and listened closely to the adults in my life seeing how the behaved, dressed, and communicated.
I escaped these adult dramas through my drawings, dolls, and books. I loved to draw houses complete with furniture, curtains, and stairs. I liked to collect doll furniture and create my own sense of space. My dolls were strong women who were teachers, mothers, and movie stars. Since I have always been an avid reader, stories transported me with imagery and to someone else's home. I still remember influential children's books and primary school readers that used images and words for understanding the setting, mood, characters, and roles. I sometimes use letter stamps on manuscript paper to express my thoughts and feelings like in story books.
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When looking at the stories in my artwork, I hope they invite you in the space to reflect on your interpretations, emotions, and ideas and give you more a personal connection to yourself and your own stories of home and family.
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