Absence and Reunion- Trip Down Memory Lane

The exploration of memories and what remains in one's mind's eye in visual snippets is a fascination for an artist. What informs my work is what images are sarked by what i see today and what they remind me of from my past. I use circles a lot to symbolize the circle of life and how patterns are repeated in life. Harry Chapin said, "All my life's a circle, sunrise and sunset..." As I get older, I agree more and more as I see so many things repeated and oen thing reminds me of another years later.

Of course, it is not only visual memories that come back, there are smells, sounds and tastes that bring back past memories as well. Old songs, favorite foods or special smells that recreate experiences or special times.

These three mixed media prints are from high school years in the late 50's- early 60's. The use of black and white are reflected of the 50's, the 55 Chevy was my favorite car, the prom pictures as well as other yearbook pictures as well as the old television and other pictures and ads of the timed are intersperse with patterns from the times as well as monotypes printing in colors.

Trip Down Memory Lane- Absence and Reunion

In my most recent work I have been focused on memory and what remains in one's mind's eye. Images from memory are often included in the mixed media works. On May 22, I attended my 50th high school reunion so memories of high school have been on my mind. Reading over my high school yearbook and remembering incidents from those years as I reconnect with old friends, listening to oldies (some of my favorite music anyway)and remembering my hopes and dreams when I was a teenager inspired a series of 6 mixed media works on paper I have called Absence and Reunion. Here are three of them. I will post the others next time.

Revisiting the Edge- Immaculata University Art Show 2011

Southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego, the uttermost part of the earth, offer native forest and glaciers, fjords and channels. These unique and mysterious places at the end of the earth are some of my favorite places. So much so that we went there twice!! They intrigue me, capturing my imagination and stimulating my creative process. There are such extremes in nature there and so few people. It's so far from everything. There are not many people there but, the ones that are, are very friendly.

Several works inspired by visits there are included in the Immaculata University Art Show which runs from May 14 to 22, 2011.
Here are four examples ( from the top) Revisiting the Edge 5, 3, 4 and 6, mixed media prints. Oops, they got placed out of order.