Reticulation Project

My current series of work began during my time at the North Street Collective artist residency last summer. Initially, I struggled with what I should do in this unknown place, and how to relate it authentically to me and my art in general. Lucky for me, my partner there, Christine Carr, was (and is) a fantastic photographer and indulged my whims, taking beautiful source photos with myself as model. The wire fence on the property intrigued me, serving as opposing metaphors of being simultaneously trapped and self-protected by fear. I began researching the physiology of the brain and its “reticular formation” processes, which further influenced my work with tangled objects.

These thoughts take on new meanings and intensities as we all develop ways to cope with uncertainties in our worlds, both internally and externally. I’m looking forward to being in the studio again, exploring these concepts further, and sharing our experiences with each other.

The Perception Project

Sometimes fate steps in when you need it… I had been looking for a more meaningful way to connect my art with human experience, and happened upon the Perception Project quite by chance. They graciously accepted me as one of the artists to participate this year. The approach is simple yet unique: connect artists with volunteers willing to share their individual stories of trauma, and have the artists create works of art inspired by, and then given to, their “muse”.

I was matched with a person and listened to their story first-hand (a licensed mental health professional was present for support). I will keep all of the details confidential, but will say that I am tremendously humbled by the experience, and am driven to create an authentic piece that will honor the courage and resilience of this inspiring human being.

I have included photos of the work in progress, but intend to wait to publish the finished piece until my “muse” has seen it at the exhibit. Please consider donating to this fantastic cause: www.theperceptionproject.org, and/or come to the opening reception (details published soon, but it’ll be the last weekend in November at Castelli Art Space in Los Angeles).