Project 2020

                                             almost done  I was so excited to start Fran's book. Everybody ahead of me really put a lot of energy into their work, and I wanted to do the same. Her book is so rich in detail, texture, and color. She told us to have fun with it, so I did. My goal was to create a textured landscape using cardboard, burlap, handmade, painted and printed papers for the ground. I focused on the poem by Amanda Gorman read at the 2021 inauguration "A Hill to Climb." Next, I will write an excerpt from the poem, "Somehow we've weathered and witnessed" which to me relates to Black peoples ongoing struggle in this country for our humanity in the midst of constant assault. I decided to use layers of acrylic paint for the sky, starting with a deep blue of night to the warm oranges and yellows of sunrise.                                                              early work                                                               work

I love the black paper Aziza provided for us!  Like Julee's book it prompted me to create a completely black and white piece.  Our project has focused on reflection---on ourselves, the current times, and the future.  This made me think about creating a piece that is a mirror-like reflection. The black paper got me thinking in photographic terms--positive and negative images. In reflecting on myself and the need to be even more resilient due to the personal and global events I experienced in 2020, I used the self-portrait I made for Julee's book and printed it with white ink on the black background and black ink on a white background. To illustrate the concept of resiliency in current and future times I used the thistle as a metaphor. Similar to the dandelion, the thistle, the national flower of Scotland, is a tough, medicinal, and beautiful weed, but with very wicked thorns (don't mess with me)!  This image I also printed in white ink on black paper and black ink on white p