Nature’s Healing Hand
2011–2012
I began my 2011-12 painting season with the intention to explore what I decided to call, “the mysterious comfort of trees;” indeed, you will see that each of the pieces in this collection includes a tree or trees within its story line. While the trees themselves are important elements of each painting, many other images surfaced along the way that expanded my exploration to include how nature and her creatures bring insight and solace.
I spent 3-6 weeks on each piece, metaphorically climbing into the story I was trying to convey. Some of these vignettes were taken from real experiences, others were imagined as scenes to guide, soothe and protect me and any viewer that seeks inspiration, comfort, or kinship.
During this time I read artist William Zorach’s 1967 autobiography, Art is My Life. He is the father of Damariscotta artist Dahlov Ipcar, who I also studied that year. In his book, Zorach described how, when sculpting, he slowly revealed the image and beauty within the stone, with his subconscious working in collaboration with his analytical brain. I recognized that I shared many of his sensibilities, including seeing the creation of art as an intuitive, meditative process which can draw the viewer inward and offer reminders of the beauty and love that surround us all.