Sacred Shields for Broken Spirits
This series of shields for broken spirits reveals
difficult truths of injustice in our society, which I can no longer deny.
The shields are a means of listening, facing fear, healing wounds
and doing the hard work of creating justice.
These paintings are a humble, transcendent gesture
of compassion and hope.
Unfurl the Flags
of Hard-Fought Freedom
36”x36”x1.75”
Oil & wax on panel
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A Wing and A Prayer
24”x36”x2”
Mixed media on panel
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How Sacred our Being
36”x36”x2”
Mixed media on panel
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This is to be our Awakening
24”x 36”x 2”
Oil & wax on panel
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Wild Abandon
24”x 24”x 2”
Oil & wax on panel
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Revelation of Truth
10”x20”x1.5”
Oil & wax on panel
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Quiet Defiance
18"x24”x1.5”
Oil & wax on Panel
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Still Point
14"x 22.5”x.5”
Oil & wax on panel
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The Beating Heart of Courage
24”x36”x1.5”
Mixed media on panel
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Words are Made of Breath
20”x30”x1.5”
Mixed media on panel
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Wing of Night (Blue Moon/Black Bird)
24”x24”x1.5”
Oil & wax on panel
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Joy as an Act of Resistance
24”x36”x1.5”
Oil & wax on panel
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Ache in the Knowing
16”x16”x1.5”
Mixed media on panel
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The Doing of What Ought to be Done
Two panels, each 20"x30"x1.5”
Oil & wax
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Artist Statement
My art explores ideas of injustice in contemporary culture and how we reclaim both autonomy and freedom when we arm ourselves with knowledge. The work is inspired by the Say Her Name, Me Too and Black Lives Matter movements as well as poetry, literature, sculpture and music. The work is derived from the ancient idea that shields possess spiritual power and protect us from violence.
My iconography includes words, broken wings, weaponry, multiple moons and rectangular geometric forms. The shields are highly textured paintings, with layers of wax, oil and other improvised medium, built upon wooden panels. The color palette is limited to three or four colors, with strong contrast. The visual effect is of fractured stone, weathered bone and luminous light.
My ongoing exploration of shields for broken spirits exposes difficult truths in our society and within ourselves. The work is a humble acknowledgement of what we lose when we cut short, stigmatize or terrorize another human life. I honor those who have perished in the struggle and offer hope that we can collectively heal broken spirits — and that we can all be free.