LAYERED NARRATIVES
My recent work on paper explores narrative and storytelling through the creation of imaginary landscapes integrated with abstract elements and found papers from popular culture — wallpaper, wrapping paper, magazines, newspapers, comics, my own photographs, ribbon — and acrylic paint. My layering process begins as an improvisation and an appreciation of how torn posters on subway and building walls reveal layers of memory as the disparate parts unravel and unexpected realities emerge. Through this additive process and the juxtaposition of the abstract and and the representational, my surfaces become interwoven networks and dense webs of vision not unlike our packed urban environment. The work constantly changes and fractures as papers are repeatedly added, sanded, painted ,and repainted. The distressed surfaces, the fragile female images and the other figurative, floral and textural forms contain their own associations and histories as they fuse with fields of color, form and pattern.The inclusion of Nancy recalls the comic strip I read as a child; she was fearless, curious and confident, a problem solver; I fantasized about having similar attitudes and adventures …, and longed to play with her pets. I am, as well, fascinated with tattooed bodies as expressions of identity, transformation and their prevalence throughout history and they appear in my work as objects of an exotic beauty and messengers within the narratives. And, although there is no one way to read my work, there are many points of entry.