American Yin Yang

Acrylic
11” x 14”
May 2019

Traditionally, yin and yang are Chinese complementary forces that interact to form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the assembled parts. (I am also a fan of the German principle, gestalt.) Here in the US, we are experiencing a time of ever-increasing tension between progressive and conservative values and their moral convictions. They proudly oppose and flex rather than complement one another. Each accuses the other of being “the reason why we cannot have nice things,” or worse. Two fascists fighting for dominance. Two dictators clinging to power. Two sides that cannot acknowledge their need for one another, because balance means they both lose. And we all win. I made this piece to hang either direction. Does it matter?

Kintsugi Among Us

Laser print collage on foam core, matte varnish, clear acrylic mediums, gold leaf
32” x 40”
February 2019

The Japanese art kintsugi illustrates strength and beauty in imperfection. When an object breaks (this process is usually done with pottery) and is repaired using gold dust and lacquer glue, the resulting piece becomes a metaphor for brokenness and healing. Not only is the piece still of value, but it has been strengthened and beautified in the healing repair. Our society is like a broken object. We're all part of this picture, participating in brokenness. What would it mean for us to participate in filling the ever-widening space between us? What would it mean to let go of the pride of our individual shard, and occupy the breaks in community? What would it mean to be the glue, and let God bring the golden blessing of reconciliation, healing and beautifying wholeness?

Systemic Exploitation

Soft pastel
12” x 16”
June 2020

Anxiety sells. Ask those who have monetized ideologies such as “dismantle”-ism and “deconstruct”-ism. Google these “experts” net worth. They claim to have special, mind-reading insight into others’ “subconscious bias”, and “know” how others perceive the world. Their unity comes from projecting the shame of affluence and privilege that they feel. Their satisfaction comes from evoking social anxieties and trauma responses, with an invoice for the struggle session. Let them confront and work through their own bias, shame, anxieties and traumas. Let them heal from insecurity, projection and smug authority. Let them learn how to enter community with genuine curiosity that seeks connection. Be at peace. Centered. Self-differentiated. Empowered. Serve others from your inner wellspring of love. If they wonder where your grounding comes from, respond without attaching an invoice.

How far that little candle throws its beams

Oil pastel with pocket knife
12” x 12”
January 2020

On a cold, cloudy evening in January, we paid our respects to cousin Casey with sky lanterns at Green Lake in Seattle. I made this when we got home, unintentionally at first, testing colors of oil pastels. But it looked like what we did that day so I moved it in that direction, scraping off layers with a pocket knife. The title is from Shakespeare, precursor to the well known, “So shines a good deed in a weary world.” Casey's good deed was his life, as expressed through his music. The light that burned in Casey is the same light that burns in all of us. The tragedy is when we can’t see it in ourselves – through depression, burdens, injustices – through the many curtains that keep it from shining bright. Please don't underestimate how far it shines. The world needs you.

Into the Fog

Oil on canvas
48” x 24”
2014

In the Fall of 2010, took my pastels to the beach – a routine of mine, as evidenced in other water scenes. When I arrived, it was foggy. Nothing to see here. I decided to rest before walking back home. The stillness of the water blended into the fog. My eyes searched for an edge to focus on. My ears rang for a sound. In this absolute nothingness, this is where God showed up. Through the blurry, blank, monochrome silence, impossible colors began pouring into the clouds. I laughed as "nothing" became more "something" than I could imagine - God is such a show-off. I'm just an artist – this is the Almighty Creator. My attention captured, I heard the words, “You talk a big game, but you don't follow.” Truth. So I followed. I followed Jesus into baptism. I would have been baptized then and there, but no one was around, let alone a preacher. I'm still following. The image stayed with me, but it took four years for me to approach the canvas. It was too outrageous. Too holy. For a long time, I thought, "Even if I could paint it, who would believe it?" That's not the point. The point was simply for me to see and respond to the compelling message of "Stop talking about it and follow."