Slinky, 54 1/4" x 97 1/4", acrylic on canvas, 2006. Slinking, slithering, tumbling up and down staircases, being viewed as simply a toy...Slinky is about a woman's right to be a sexual being without being treated like a sexual object.
Tossed Salad, 49" x 73", acrylic on canvas, 2004. " x 73", acrylic on canvas, 2004. Once upon a time, while watching the evening news, a segment came on reporting that more and more young women were "saving themselves" for their wedding night. There were several quick interviews with a few of these woman who admitted to never having intercourse, but instead, "put out" in other ways to keep their boyfriends happy- e.g. oral, anal, and oral anal. Maybe I'm old and out of touch (which is very likely) but I was sort of stunned. Of course, these young women had the right to do whatever they wanted with their bodies, and while I understood their "logic" behind this sexual trend, I just kinda thought it was...well...ridiculous. And amusing. Perhaps I was at fault for not really attempting to understand their points of view and motivations. And I'm sorry, I suppose I was being judgmental, which is something I've since been really really trying to cut back on (along with carbs and saturated fats.) Nevertheless, the second that news segment was over I raced to my sketch book and immediately went to work on Tossed Salad. (P.S. If you don't know what the slang term "tossed salad" means, Google it. Then come back and study the painting again. ;-) )
Mood Tango, 44" x 87", acrylic on canvas, 2004.
Can't Stand the Rain, 48" x 36", acrylic on canvas, 2003.
X, 83" x 40 5/8", acrylic on canvas, 2005. There is a giant woman in this painting who would stand over 11 feet tall if she were fully upright. There are several male figures hanging off of her who are much smaller in size. The question is- what are these bodies doing? Are the small male bodies attacking and raping this woman against her will? Or is she actually the one who is in control? X equals the unknown...but, you're welcome to guess. ;-)
Shattered, 48" x 32", acrylic/mixed media on mounted hardboard, 2011, is a very personal painting I did after going through 6 years of infertility, multiple IUI and IVF procedures, injections, drugs, surgeries, and the loss of my third set of twins. I had never intended to show this painting to anyone. In fact, as soon as I finished it, I turned it against the wall and refused to look at it again... until 4 years later, thanks to my beautiful and healthy twin daughters. <3 <3
Linus & Lucy & Wynton, 54 1/2" x 72", acrylic on canvas, 2004, was inspired by Wynton Marsalis's arrangement of the classic Peanut's song, Linus and Lucy. It is a wonderfully energetic, creative, almost caricature-y version of that old tune we all remember from our Charlie Brown days. Even on your worst day, I dare you to listen to it and not at least smile.
The Vanguard, 83" x 40 5/8", acrylic on canvas, 2004.
The Storm, 73 1/8" x 61", acrylic on canvas, 2006, was inspired by and painted a year after Hurricane Katrina. Katrina hit New Orleans a week after my husband and I got home from our honeymoon there. A year later (and also a year after that) we went back to NO to film interviews and jazz festivals for a documentary we were working on at the time. Our friends at the local jazz radio station, WWOZ, took us to the lower 9th Ward where many of their friends were killed. One year later (and two years later) the area remained in total devastation and completely abandoned. After our trip in 2006, I went home and painted this big thing and called it The Storm. The figures are trapped in a giant storm, yet the colors and actions remain vibrant, energetic, and hopeful...just like the amazing people of New Orleans.
Jitterbug, 48"x24", acrylic/mixed media on mounted hardboard, 2007.
Hu Ta Nay, 45 1/4" x 45 1/4", acrylic on canvas, 2003. This painting was inspired by the very lively and spirited Dr. John song, Hu Ta Nay. Hu Ta Nay is a secret word often used in chants by the Mardi Gras Indians.
The Woolgatherers, 55" x 43 1/8", acrylic on canvas, 2006.
Now I Lay Me..., 48 1/4" x 36", acrylic on hardboard, 2004. Once upon a time, a friend told me the story about a one-night-stand he had had with a woman. Their date was obviously going well and she invited him back to her apartment. She was quite flirtatious and seductive and made her intentions very clear, so he followed her lead and they both quickly wound up in her bedroom. One thing led to another and the two were just about to have sex, when suddenly the woman fell to her knees at the foot of the bed... and proceeded to say her prayers. I apologize to anyone reading this who happens to pray just before having sex and is offended by this painting, but the title Now I Lay Me...was just too good to pass up!
Now I Lay Me II, 60" x 54 3/4", acrylic on canvas, 2007. (a second and larger version of the original Now I Lay Me...)
The Nanny, 35" x 45", acrylic on hardboard, 2004.
Untitled, 30" x 15", oil on canvas, 2001. Sometimes it's just one of those days that can't be described by words. And no words are needed to describe this painting.
The Mother, 30" x 22", acrylic on paper, 2002.
Pearl, 27" x 15", acrylic on canvas, 2004.
Paul, 24" x 15", acrylic on hardboard, 2004.
The List, 36" x 24", oil on canvas, 2001. Soon after 9/11 happened, a book was published about the horrific events. I never wanted to look at it, but at some point, I eventually did. Inside this book was a list of all the names of the people who had died in the terrorist attacks. The list was pages and pages long with narrow columns and tiny print. To see that many names piled on top of each other and crammed into the pages was overwhelming. I couldn't get the gruesome image of bodies on top of bodies out of my mind. The List is my painting of that image.
The Web II, 49" x 36", acrylic on fiberboard, 2004.
Black Coffee, 48 1/4" x 40 1/4", acrylic on canvas, 2002.