Hidden Reality

click thumbnails for larger images

Hidden Rebirth 24"x 24" unframed Mixed media on weathered paper, 2022
Hidden Rebirth (detail) 24"x 24" unframed Mixed media on weathered paper, 2022
Hidden Rebirth (detail) 24"x 24" unframed Mixed media on weathered paper, 2022
Hidden Rebirth (detail) 24"x 24" unframed Mixed media on weathered paper, 2022
Hidden Morphing, 45"x 45", Mixed media on weathered paper, 2021
Hidden Morphing (detail), 45"x 45", Mixed media on weathered paper, 2021
Hidden Morphing (detail), 45"x 45", Mixed media on weathered paper, 2021
Hidden Morphing (detail),45"x 45", Mixed media on weathered paper, 2021
Storm, May 24, 2020, 51"x 47", Mixed media with PVA adhesive on weathered paper, 2020
Storm (detail), May 24, 2020, 51"x 47", Mixed media with PVA adhesive on weathered paper, 2020
Storm (detail), May 24, 2020, 51"x 47", Mixed media with PVA adhesive on weathered paper, 2020
Storm (detail), May 24, 2020, 51"x 47", Mixed media with PVA adhesive on weathered paper, 2020
Hidden in Storms I, 18"x 18",
Mixed media on weather paper, 2020
Hidden in Storms I (detail), 18"x 18",
Mixed media on weather paper, 2020
Hidden in Storms I (detail), 18"x 18",
Mixed media on weather paper, 2020
Hidden in Storms I (detail), 18"x 18",
Mixed media on weather paper, 2020
Hidden In Storms, II
9"x 24", Mixed media on weathered paper, 2020
Hidden In Storms, II (detail)
9"x 24", Mixed media on weathered paper, 2020
Hidden In Storms, II (detail)
9"x 24", Mixed media on weathered paper, 2020
Hidden In Storms, II (detail)
9"x 24", Mixed media on weathered paper, 2020
Embracing Yesterday, 84"x 108”, Mixed media on sanded and weathered paper, 2021
Embracing Yesterday (detail), 84"x 108”, Mixed media on sanded and weathered paper, 2021
Embracing Yesterday (detail), 84"x 108”, Mixed media on sanded and weathered paper, 2021
Embracing Yesterday (detail), 84"x 108”, Mixed media on sanded and weathered paper, 2021
Hidden Glow, 63"x 70”,
Mixed media on weathered and sanded paper, with nylon wire, 2021
Hidden Glow (detail), 63"x 70”,
Mixed media on weathered and sanded paper, with nylon wire, 2021
Hidden Glow (detail), 63"x 70”,
Mixed media on weathered and sanded paper, with nylon wire, 2021
Hidden Glow (detail), 63"x 70”,
Mixed media on weathered and sanded paper, with nylon wire, 2021

The organisms in these drawings reflect growth and decay along with beautiful molds and fungi, but they’re drawn on paper that doesn’t address the excruciating feelings of immediacy I had as the virus and climate change invaded my thoughts full time. The paper was dictating the boundaries of the images, rather than the images dictating the form of the paper. By leaving the paper outside for a month, it became a diary of flooding and storms, and demanded that we not turn away from its reality. As the ravaged paper became unbearable, I added silver linings, which, together, remind us how precious life is—that protecting it is vital.