Powerful

Original acrylic painting on cardstock

Measures approximately: 3" x 4"

Completed in 2010.

Powerful! What a big word. How do you feel about that word? Does it scare you? Excite you? Worry you? Are YOU powerful? Well, I think we all are powerful it is just a question of whether we recognize the ways in which we wield power or not. We are all always creating and defining our experiences and that is power right there. For me, for most of my life, I have tried furiously to abdicate power. That did not work so well. Now I am trying to use my power wisely. Which is a huge challenge, but thrilling, though. I am powerful and I find inspiration just in the act of saying those words.

About the words series: The one critical bit of advise I have heard most consistently throughout my career is this, "Do not paint words. Do not mix words and art. The images should speak for themselves."

Perhaps because of this, I always want to paint words. I understand where the criticism is coming from and on some super-visual pieces, I opt not to include any words. On other pieces, I work very hard to integrate words as compositional elements so that they are subtle and do not detract.

But that does not satisfy me. I want to paint words like this. I love painting words like this. Words have made such a HUGE difference in my life. Healed me. Brought me back from the dead. I was raised by books, made whole by books, befriended by books. I want to celebrate words. Put them on thrones. Throw parties for them. That is my ambition for the new word paintings I am working on now. To pass along my love for these words. Inviting you to my word party.

Plus, I think these paintings will make kick-ass cards and prints and mugs and things.