Artist Statement

Cry Out

“When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!  Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”
Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”  “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.””  Luke 19: 37-40  

Two contemporary artists have led me through the deep exploration of finding my voice in painting.  Igor Beginin, a remarkable water media artist and art professor, now retired, at Eastern Michigan University used music and words to open his students’ hearts, minds, and hands to provide a creative environment from which art would flow.  Bonnie Hartenstein’s powerful work as an artist spans many years as well as many countries.  Her gift is in probing critical issues with a strong yet gentle hand in order to pull the unconscious into the conscious, the unknown into the identifiable.  She lives and teaches in Sedona, Arizona.  Finally, Mary Cassatt a tenacious American who trained in Paris and showed with the Impressionists is the third artist among those who inspire me through their work, their thirst for learning and their passion for creativity.

Light and reflection in my surroundings in tandem with prayer, serve as inspiration as I interpret the pulse of life.  Even though we are physically separate we are universally connected.  We do not fully exist in a void. The fullness of being human contains the urge to pronounce both goodness and evil. Miracles of healing are present in every aspect of living; and can be seen in our personal relationships and relationships with the physical world.  Those who see miracles cry out. My paintings encompass a testimony to the omnipresence of our Lord.  I hope the images will help all who view them to open their own eyes and hearts to The Creator in new ways, that a stirring within urges the participants to cry out in response to what they see.

I believe God’s call:

”Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received.”  1 Peter 4:10 

So let everything you do and everything you say be a reflection of His grace.