My Practice
My practice can be presented as several themes: 1. media; 2. cutlural energies and influences; 3. community and issues; 4. personal challenges.
1. MEDIA. Over the years, I've worked in theatre, film and video, painting, silk screen printing, sculpture, textile constructions, mixed media, installations, layout and design. All of these experiences influence each other and open up new areas of exploration. Sculpture, silk screen, and textile construction influenced theatre projects. Layout and design influenced film and video. Each media awakened limits that provoked me to seek help and technical support and be more inventive.
2. CULTURAL ENERGIES and INFLUENCES. Living in Appalachia as well as extended visits and residencies in Lithuania have opened me to cultural realities remarkably distinct from my Chicago origins. Appalachia taught me to quilt and collaborate. Lithuania taught me to document and interface with family roots and politically aware art students. I'm somewhat "an accident waiting to happen" and it kept happening in these places.
3. COMMUNITY and ISSUES. As a participant in regional and neighborhood community organizations, churches, arts groups, and political networks, I live and learn history, customs, and stories that awaken me to creative work and relationships. In that environment I work alone and collaborate. It's a dance. I trip and fly, spin and glide. Friends all along the way and in every way give me great courage and inspiration.
4. PERSONAL CHALLENGES. As a tenured artist engaged in many expressive arts projects and processes over the years, the new journey of "aging" gives me powerful challenges and choices. I want to focus on the spiraling pilgrimage of my own art life in community. The beginnings and non-endings of individual and shared journeys warrant and deserve exploration, experimentation, and celebration.