Artist Statement:
This piece is about finding joy during the covid pandemic. I spent the year like many people—at home, not going anywhere. I also lost my dad, my mom, my brother-in-law, and my son’s sister-in-law last year. A tough year.
Since I wasn’t going anywhere, I used what I had on hand. I had a bunch of wood panels I’d cut for a metal project, but after making three metal pieces and being scared I was going to cut off my finger, I decided to paint on the panels instead. Some of them are a different size than the others, and I like that. It leaves the viewer with the question, “Gee, did she do that on purpose or by accident?”
I have a view of Pusch Ridge—part of the Catalina range—from our house in Arizona. It looms large and imposing. It turns color at different times of the day. It can be variously tan, black, gray, pink, peach, purple, gold, red, white. I love to move my eyes atop the ridge line, moving my mind pencil along, exploring the ups and downs of it.
I decided to paint it, and explore the beautiful colors. Then I added foreground, and then plants began to appear—iconic plants of the desert southwest—ocotillo, saguaro, prickly pear, barrel, the green palo verde tree. I wasn’t happy with it—it felt blah to me. It wasn’t telling the story I wanted, or the feeling.
I decided to go off the map and began painting wacky colors—“non-native colors.” And I decided to make the pink saguaro the star of the show. Then I decided these plants were just part of the story, along with the ridge, so I began adding iconic southwest animals—quail, lizard, rabbit, roadrunner, deer, elegant trogon.
I have always loved naïve art—the art that comes spilling out of a person—child or adult—without regard to any rules. I love to see images with mixed up perspective, flat and 3D together, renderings of objects and people that don’t look exactly like they do in real life. It is spontaneous; it bubbles out; it is real and true. It’s not always happy, but it is honest. And it explores who we are through imagery.
One of my favorite modern painters is Gaylen Hansen, who was an art professor at my alma mater, Washington State University—alas, not while I was there. Here is a quote from Mr. Hansen: “I’ve decided I don’t have to be an artist anymore. I can do anything I want.”
I wanted this to be a happy painting, and I hope it will make you smile and feel good after such a challenging year.
May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you find love. May you be at peace.