This series is titled Messages from the Other Voice.  I run the risk of my art students thinking I’m “EMO” with this reveal, but I experimented with automatic writing, which produced poetry that appeared as positive messages to relinquish despair (I was a “cellar dweller” living in my parents’ basement at the time).

Each painting is an illustration of said phrases.  I used one of my favorite resources to accomplish the task – a dictionary of symbols.  Puzzle forms slice the composition into thirds (and sometimes fourths) and the familiar motifs in my repertoire appear to reinforce the text – stenciled titles, playing cards, coasters, etc.

They are double framed in cherry and maple and are for sale for $675 each.