The Good Grief show is a collection of work that comes from gleaning some sort of good out of grief. The two major bodies of work are Webs and Shatter. The webs are actual spider webs spray painted on canvas and paper. The shattered are canvas and paper work as well. Waves are oil on canvas, and Skull Popcorn is gouache on board.
Web paintings were created last year from April to September. It was during this period of time that I spent taking care of my father who was dying of cancer. There was a limited amount of time I had during the day for making art. When I had a minute I watched webs on the clothesline in the backyard.
Watching spiders make webs I found myself ruminating over their significance. Then a spark of inspiration hit me to capture the webs some how. It was a great escape to make art again and I had something to show my father. He liked them and I hope you do too.
Shattered paintings started about 10 years ago. The shattering idea came from relationships that broke. The the unique and random patterns of the fractures are specifically delineated by paint. Which metaphorically become points of departure for musing over what caused the break ups and can help to elucidate the failed attempts.
The Broken Bell was created as as a donation to the Franklin's Paine skatepark fund. The shape of the bell is that of the Liberty Bell which is a universal symbol of freedom. The shattering technique figuratively is applied to freedom and liberties in the bells. The ways in which freedoms and liberties are compromised or destroyed is another interesting proposition to contemplate.