A creative malaise crept into my studio during the beginning of 2014. Feeling creatively stuck, I did what I usually do in these circumstances: I searched for a creative place to immerse myself in.

This is the voice of Fear. Fear stomps on our dreams and waters down our visions. It squelches our uniqueness and silences our voice. Fear is a hard companion to rid ourselves of, but if we have the courage to risk making changes in our lives and doing things we never thought were possible, we gain the phosphorescence of life.

This series of work has allowed me to reconnect with my courage to go out on a limb. I hope it will do the same for you.

After creating a prayerful flower mandala around her, I had planned on burying her, but something yanked at my heart. I wanted her life to live on through art, so I photographed her and read up on how to preserve dead animals. A Native American tradition taught me to surround the body in cornmeal within a box and seal it up for 4 months in a dark cool place. So that's what I did. I have three of them lying in wait.

This painting has been in my office/studio for many, many years but I had not really seen it for many, many years. Then I remembered.

My art collection began in 1965 when I was 11 years old. It was the year my younger brother died of brain cancer.

Jerry Coulter was a family friend and colleague of my father's at Columbia College. We attended his opening reception at The Columbia Museum of Art, and I immediately fell in love with a small watercolor of his. I stood in front of this painting for a very long time and kept returning to it throughout the afternoon. It touched something deep inside me that I could feel but not name. I remember my mother coming up to me and saying, "Your Dad and I have noticed that you really like this painting and we'd like to buy it for you." I was shocked. Surprised. Thrilled. I felt nurtured, and I have carried this artwork with me throughout my life. It continues to encourage and comfort me. It helps me to understand my life.

My Creations

Series titles and poems from this body of work.

A White Feathered Leaf

It appeared in a dream. A white feathered leaf. It floated down from the sky. Along with red flames. Strands of colored light. And crimson seed pods. She knew this was an important message. A white feathered leaf.
Gold Light

The anxiety had begun again. A nervousness, a tightness in her chest. She did not understand. She began to dream of birds and. Lands where the rain washes all. The darkness away with gold light
Delights in the Shadow

She had learned there were delights in the shadows. Her hunger for connection was in the darkness. She began to see. Began to trust what was veiled between. The layers of knowing.
Flourishing Within

The garden had begun to grow again, flourishing within. This new light held in the sky of midnight. She could feel the warmth inside. The coolness of Black Night and. Began to deeply trust what she could not see. But could feel their presence quietly within.
Great-Grandmother's Gift

It was in a dream that she remembered. how to recall the songs of the spirit bird. that had visited her all those dark nights. under the moonless sky. Thankful of the night vision. Her great-grandmother's gift.
Lightness of Being

She found it hard to maintain the lightness of being. She had longer for. So she decided to try to fly, Fly inside herself where. She had been afraid to journey. But now she was ready to begin. To trust
Out on a Limb

She had gone out on a limb before. But somehow she had lost her confidence, Fearful of taking the risks. Her heart longed for. But today something shifted and she knew. It was time for a change, Time to leap, to take the risk.
Questioning all the Answers

Questioning all the answers given, They were prepared to travel confidently. Towards this new world. This way be being. They have the power to take you where no one else can. A new kind of Promised Land. That leads from the unfamiliar
Song Softly Calling

It was late in the evening when she first heard. The song softly calling her to listen. As she stood below the moonless sky. Wanting to memorize the melody. That rang so true. Without any words.
The Messengers

There came a time when the messengers were everywhere. But strangely not everyone could see them and. Not everyone believed that they were real. The ones that could see these messengers were. Very quiet about their experiences. There new way of seeing
They Shared a Faith

Together they shared a faith in things. that could not be seen. Trusting what they felt. Always reassured by poets, dancers, and musicians. That this human language is necessary
Time Out of Time

It was a time out of time, almost like being in a dream. But it was real time whatever that meant. Swirling around. Spiraling in and out. She did not want to lose herself in this current. This river of newness. She wanted to take her armor off while still being protected
A Feathered Dream

Endowed with winds, she knows no boundaries, No borders to restrain her. She carries a strong voice. Filled with her own song. The wonders of her songs speak to everyone. If only they would d listen. With their hearts and not their minds souly.
An Unexpected Road

It had been a difficult year. Accompanying her towards death. Was an unexpected road. She had never traveled. But as she journeyed deeper into this rite. This most holy experience. She realized her life had prepared her
Beyond Now

Was it a charmed flight or a feathered dream. She did not want to wake from. Until she knew for sure what was. Or was this an opening into something beyond now. She could not tell what was true as her world was not real.
New Perspectives

Curious all the ways we travel. Looking for new perspective. New ways of being. New ways of seeing the world. The world outside ourselves. The world within ourselves. Explorer of both, she is not fearful of death.
Willing, Not Able?

There have been times when they both through they had had enough. The sky heavy with darkness and misunderstanding. At time not able, no willing to face each other. But not ready to give up. Looking for new sight. New beginnings.
Tired of Being Alone

She was tired of being alone. Even though she was not lonely. She loved her own company. But longed to share life with another human. Someone who would understand, comfort, encourage, laugh and cry with her.
Out of Sight

She was there all along. but the surrounding noise kept her hidden. Out of sight. Invisible. Undetectable. But it was time so she began. to fly closer and sing louder. So that the darkness would not be so frightening.