In recent months I have been contemplating contemporary issues that breakdown our ability to be present. It seems that the increase in technology, such as cell phones and artificial intelligence, can be productive yet damaging. They can take us to faraway places where we aren’t present to others or thinking properly. The same can be said for other aspects of life that we greatly enjoy.
Waste No Time, Not Time to Waste, Time Wasted, A Happiest Hour, Haith Purpose – a Scottish oath or curse meaning “gifted” – was originally based on a thought of overdoing and a lack of presence and less productivity. The few I spoke with regarding the background balked at the idea. It can be a touchy subject. Happy hour is a wonderful time to connect with friends and family. Our world is full of good and evil. It’s up to each individual to interpret, decide and act. I always invite the viewer to decipher my work. See what YOU see. Give it your story.
This mixed media piece is created with paper, playfully curated wine bottle labels and acrylic paint. Curvaceous wine glasses create an hourglass. Red wine replaces the moving sands of time. Wine bottles shimmer in glass reflections. Colorful corks fill the background with the celebration and movement of a gumball machine. It’s happy hour somewhere. Make it a good one.
Are greeting cards one of the earliest forms of artificial intelligence? We know a special milestone is upcoming, we go shopping and search for the words we want to express, already crafted by some other being or machine, and we sign our name and send it on its way.
My husband and I have storage containers full of heartfelt greeting cards from family and friends, to and from each other. We have carried and continued to fill these containers over the 27 years and 13 relocations due to his job. It is challenging to let go of the sentiments that we either sent or received. They speak to us and tell us we work hard, we are loved, sexy and fabulous, a good child, parent, sibling or friend, among other things. While perusing, I was incredibly entertained and touched. Hilarious, sensual, sarcastic, supportive, and real words. But it still made me think….maybe we should find our own words. And we will. And we will hold on to them.
With Love from A I, 48″ x 36″, created with lovingly recycled greeting cards and acrylic. 2025.
Recently I spent two months creating a piece that was contemplative, spiritual, and filled with personal symbolism. The theme was Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a beautiful and faith-filled day celebrating the lives of those who have preceded us in death. I adore every concept of this holiday. It’s filled with love, hope and tradition.
As I was creating this work, I received a call to artists for a Dia de Los Muertos art exhibit at a local garden gallery here in Tucson. I thought to myself… I want this piece to be in this exhibition. I could picture it. It seemed like a perfect match and the idea motivated me to paint for hours daily. It’s a large 40″ x 30″ canvas and I didn’t want to miss any attention to detail. As I worked, I fell more in love with this piece of art and those few folks who saw it raved with positivity.
The painting, titled Not If But When, depicts my return from heaven to see my loved ones on Dia de Los Muertos. I spoke with good friends who are Mexican and celebrate this holiday and they shared their favorite traditions. I incorporated Catholic beliefs and my experience at the local Dia De Los Muertos procession. The narrative for this painting is as follows:
It’s time! The mourning moon clock is ticking. My precious alebrije, Romeo, waits at the stop of a spiral stairway with that knowing look sparkling in his eyes. This will be a fantastic day. Like the Monarch butterflies, my annual migration begins. The scent of marigolds and the music of the Hail Mary lead my way. Sugar skulls representing earth, faith and the southwest tease tasty sweets. I descend from the heavens to the earth. Candles help illuminate my journey to a colorful rainbow road. As I get closer, I hear music and joy. My loving family greets me with open arms. The ofrenda is ready for celebration including photos, Our Lady, candles, cakes, fruit and wine. The sun shines happily on this celebration and the grave markers of those dear to my heart. Grief is universal. What a beautiful day to celebrate a good life lived. Dia de Los Muertos.
I submitted the painting and all requirements to the show. The rejection email came two days later and began like this, Unfortunately…. and I didn’t need to read any further. Rejection is painful. I was gutted. I cried. Ugly cried. I threatened to quit painting. Why am I wasting my time? Why couldn’t someone else appreciate this painting, it’s symbolism and meaning?
The irony of this story might be within the title, Not If But When. The title references my return from heaven on Dia De Los Muertos, but it is also suitable to the idea of rejection. Rejection in the job search, in relationships, in social groups, in schools, in our fields of work, in sports, in business. It’s going to happen and someone else gets to determine when and where and why. Art is so personal to the artist, but aren’t these other parts of life personal for everyone? I have to remind myself, this isn’t the first time and it won’t be the last.
Rejection really stings, and more so when we don’t know why we were rejected. As difficult as it is some times, we must pick ourselves up off the pavement or the couch and get motivated to get out there again.
That’s where I am today. Sharing my story is therapeutic and humbling. Sharing my art is a risk but I think it’s time to share this one. I will always adore this painting and the deep meaning it holds. I have begun creating another thought-provoking piece. I love the idea already. It’s gritty and not pretty and has a big message which I want to share. As my sweet mother (who hugged me while I cried, by the way) would say, “Onward!”
Some places hold very special places in our hearts. The Little Gallery at DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun is that place for me. It is the gallery that held my first solo exhibition on my 27th birthday. It is the handmade original studio of Tucson artistic legend Ted DeGrazia and his vibe certainly remains. This space near the base of the Catalina Mountains is quiet and peace filled. A place where one can wander, sit still, ponder, explore, and learn. Nothing is rushed.
When we returned to Tucson, The Little Gallery was on my mind. I was fortunate to return in 2019 and exhibit my artwork inspired by four years living in Europe, and new work inspired by the southwest.
An artist can only show at The Little Gallery every five years. A lot has occurred and changed in our world over the past five years. Artists have a lot to share, and my creative messages remain: colorful, curious, upbeat and playful.
On Sunday, March 9, 2025, my next exhibition ARIZONA ANTE and Playful Perspectives opens at The Little Gallery. ARIZONA ANTE is a continuation of the Arizona playing card series and new face cards will debut. Playful Perspectives, a vibrant new series, will be unveiled and explode with color. For the opportunity and the Little Gallery, I remain forever grateful.
This series is a creative evolution. Who ever thought wandering European Flea Markets during our time living overseas would lead me to create a series of 56 mixed media playing cards celebrating the things we love about Arizona?
While exploring the flea markets in 2014, I saw so many different card styles and suits. I was so curious about how Americans ended up with Spades, Hearts, Clubs and Diamonds. You’ve seen them and played with them hundreds of times. But have you ever contemplated the history or meaning behind the suits on a deck of cards? I did a little research. I didn’t expect to be intrigued with my findings. But they have inspired 62 paintings…so far.
The oldest suit designs seem to be Muslim. These suits were coins, cups, swords and polo sticks. As cards evolved, different cultures created their own suits and royalty face cards. Germany used leaves, hearts, hawk bells and acorns. In present day Spain, Greece, Portugal and Italy, suits of swords, cups, coins, and batons are still used. Today’s design, the hearts, spades, clubs and diamonds, are a French design from the 15th century. These designs were flat, stenciled silhouettes, which were easily mass produced, and thus made their way to America. Each suit represents a social class. Spades are nobility. Hearts are clergy. Diamonds are merchants. Clubs are peasants.
Myth states that the four suits represent the four seasons, and that the 52 cards represent the 52 weeks of the year. I discovered that each individual suit has many themes:
Hearts represent spring, home, emotions, love, childhood, vulnerability, art, poetry, music, water and Karma. Clubs represent summer, education, mind, intellect, musing, young, irresponsibility, literature, air and drama. Diamonds represent fall, career, security, values, judgement, adults, responsibility, entertainment, fire, and material goods. Spades represent winter, environment, wisdom, health, acceptance, old age, transformation, scripture, earth, workaholics, old souls and warriors.
This Arizona Ante began in 2018 after we returned to Tucson from many years away. I was so happy to be back. There is something special about the Grand Canyon State. People are friendly, the weather is wonderful, the skies are almost always blue. The landscapes of Arizona – with exciting animal inhabitants and vegetation – are intriguing. Arizona is a playground for hikers, bikers, golfers, fishers, cowboys, foodies and artists. All of these, and more, are represented in this playing card series. The jokers celebrate Arizona’s three outstanding state universities. Arizona is a place to live, learn, love and celebrate.
I hope you will join me on February 3, 2024 at the historic Steinfeld Warehouse Gallery for this celebration. Many thanks to the following sponsors of the Arizona Ante!
Supported in part by the Arizona Commission on the Arts which receives support from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Modern Mother, Seek Her Embrace, 2022, 24″ x 36″ Mixed Media on Canvas
As a cradle Catholic, I have always been fascinated with Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ, who I have called upon for guidance plenty. I find her apparitions particularly mind-blowing. And hopeful. While living in Europe, I spent 17 hours on a bus (each way) to attend a military pilgrimage to Lourdes, where Mary appeared to Bernadette. It was a celebratory, uplifting, powerfully positive experience. Military members from all over the world, joining together to celebrate faith. And hope. And I did see plenty of laughter, food and music being shared by men and women in a variety of uniforms during afternoons in the pubs. Joyous to observe.
Contemplate Mary among us in 2022. She may be sitting next to you at the movies or behind you in line at the grocery store. Kind and loving. Inclusive and open-minded. Non-judgmental. Hip in her rose floral bikini. Laying in the picturesque desert, appreciating the God-given and gorgeous Arizona weather and landscape. Maybe reciting the rosary. Her Son calls as she reads her digital bible on her cell phone. Traditional symbols of Mary can be found throughout this piece if you look closely. Roses. A Rosary. Twelve Stars. Tiny angels. Holding our globe. A Fleur de Lis. A crown. An “M” signet ring. A delicate halo. A sacred heart.
Maps cover the mountains. Hello echoes in the sky. The stained glass sun reads Namaste representing church and our greeting to meditation. The moon is a clock, reminding us that time is ticking. This mother embraces a group of children. The powerful, beautiful words in the foreground were discovered in a short book, “Did I Tell You?” A Message to a Son, by Elizabeth Knapp, a gift to my husband from his mother when he was a young man. Portions of her book were graciously used with written consent of the author. Ms. Knapp’s extraordinary and loving books can be found online at https://diditellyou.com/.
I hope this piece will inspire us to challenge our faith, whichever faith that may be. To occasionally put down the distractions of modern times and connect. With her. With faith. With family. With your God.
A childhood fascination with NYC. My dad often traveled to the Big Apple for work. On occasion, I would be the lucky kid that got to tag along with him and my mother. Times Square, FAO Schwartz, the Swatch store, horse carriage rides through Central Park, Cats and Les Miserables on Broadway, the Windows to the World at the Twin Towers, MOMA, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, the store windows at Christmas time, visit China Town, ice skating at Rockefeller Center, high tea at the Ritz, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. The energy and melting pot of people was curious and energizing for this St. Louis girl. And after reading this, I see how lucky I was. Indeed. And still enormously grateful, Mom and Dad.
I have always loved travel and exploring different cultures. After graduating from the University of Arizona, I moved to NYC to intern in the legal department of the Solomon R Guggenheim Museum. I lived in a dorm type situation in the high rise of the 92nd Street Y. My new friends were from all over the world. We explored NYC from head to toe, from museums to night clubs (no surprise there…) and shared our own countries vibes and traditions. We ate food from around the world, heard languages from around the world, and no one looked alike. We saw that humans from diverse cultures, lives, religions, viewpoints settled here and coexisted. And many of their family members before them arrived via a harbor, sailing by this Lady.
A few years after leaving NYC, I met and married an Air Force Officer. Our life in the Air Force took us around the world. He proposed in South Korea, we had children in Arizona and Alaska, we moved around the United States meeting wonderful people, exploring local cultures, foods and traditions, hearing different languages and accents, and no one looked alike. Which was refreshing. It seemed to be a wonderful theme of our great nation, made up of many cultures, everywhere we lived.
The first Dame du Monde Libre was created while my husband was at the Army War College, which educates military officers from countries all over the world. This school is located in Pennsylvania, and takes all of the students and their spouses on a weekend trip to NYC. Exploring the city led us to the Statue of Liberty. Seeing her again, I decided she was too cool not to create. She was created based on the history of the Statue of Liberty, as a gift of friendship from France. Images from around the world flow in her robe, symbolic of the many cultures who have immigrated to our country and made the USA what it is today. I delivered this painting to an American friend living in Switzerland, a woman enormously appreciative of the world and cultures…and good food.
Dame du monde libre
If anything will give you enormous appreciation for other cultures, it is living abroad. Even more so, it will give you greater appreciation of your home country. The Air Force took our family to Germany for four years. It was a beautiful gift to live and explore abroad. Every night at 5pm on the Air Force Base, the German and American National Anthems would radiate over a loud speaker. Cars would stop, people would stop what they were doing stand at attention or with their hands over their hearts, until these songs were complete. Even the children on the playing fields stopped playing to respect. The Air Force gave me a passionate amount of patriotism for my country.
While in Germany, I decided to make another attempt at creating this Lady. This time I got some help from friends. I posted a photograph of the Statue of Liberty on my social media account. I asked my friends to tell me what this monument represents to them. The response was beautifully overwhelming. And powerful. People wrote of their parents, grandparents and great-grandparents arriving at Ellis Island. Words like freedom, new beginnings, healing, patriotism, opportunity were shared, among many others. So I incorporated every word that was shared with me into the background of this painting. Like graffiti. I called her The Truth About Lady Liberty, as her image holds a different truth to each person who sees her. This painting went home with a military family who is passionate about America, about seeing the world through the eyes of other cultures, and who have beautiful daughters adopted from Kazakhstan and China.
The Truth About Lady Liberty
Since returning to Tucson, I have been painting a lot of southwestern art, but it was time to take on this Lady once again. She’s not easy to paint from any angle. And I didn’t think as much about the deeper meaning or symbolism this time. I worked quickly and covered the canvas with wild paint, added her figure in polka dotted paper, decided she would be brightly painted with numerous colors, stars shining and a radiating, moving sky. Like fireworks. Her torch is made from a map of Manhattan, her crown from music notes, her book from paper quoting folks such as Einstein, Emerson and Helen Keller. A tiny bit of copper paint shines. The word enlighten symbolizes knowledge, awareness, and understanding. This Lady is going home to California, to a family who looked at her and immediately saw freedom, inclusion, acceptance and pride. How beautiful and special is that? Especially after a year of challenges for our great nation. Clearly, this Lady will be constantly evolving in her symbolism as she ages. As she should.
Every artist would describe the term mixed media differently, but the main idea is that you are mixing more than one medium into one piece of art. For example, one might mix papers, fibers (yarn or fabrics), metals, sand, glass, repurposed or organic materials into a piece, with glue and paint, binding the materials into one creation.
This is how mixed media pertains to my work. I use a variety of new and vintage papers in my work. Then I paint over the top. I feel like the papers add interest, depth and dimensions to my paintings. Every paper is well thought out. I am presently working on two Gustav Klimt inspired desert landscapes. I’ll use those as my example. Klimt had the most glorious use of colors and patterns, among other great talents and intrigue.
Detail of Klimt’s work on the left; my thumbnail sketch on the right.
First, I prepare my idea in my sketchbook. My sketch is about 3 x 4 inches. Next, I contemplate the image I want to portray. I sketch it on canvas and begin assigning papers to objects or backgrounds. I paint the background. Then using tracing papers, I add my subject matter.
The painting on the left measures 24″ x 30″, and the one on the right measures 20″ x 24″.
Using tracing paper, a window and the Arizona sunshine as my light board, I transfer the images on to the chosen papers. The I carefully cut them out with an x-acto knife.
When I am confident that I like the layout, I adhere the papers to the canvas with Matte Medium (similar to Modge Podge). Sounds easy, but wet papers curl and tear, and air bubbles are the enemy! I have learned many tricks over the years, but it takes patience and commitment!
The next step is paint over the top of the adhered papers (which is my next step with these). I use acrylic paints which are water-based. They can be applied transparent to let the papers show through, or with dry brush technique, or with heavy strokes. Acrylic paint dries quickly in the Arizona climate so choices must be decisive, although mistakes often lead to better ideas. When I am confident that a piece is finished, I apply a gloss varnish, which protects the piece, and gives its colors radiant depth.
That is a general overview on mixed media in my studio. But every artist will have their own description and process. If you remember, check back to see how I finish painting these landscapes.
Several years ago, I created large scale playing cards on canvas. Two were portraits depicting me and my husband. I also created a four seasons series. What had intrigued me was the meaning behind the suites of a deck of cards.
Using these representations, I am creating face cards based on the history and diverse cultures and interests in Arizona, although they will connect with folks outside of our state, as well. Each card is researched and thoughtfully pieced together. Creating these cards has been enormously entertaining, especially at a time when we could all use a distraction or a chuckle.
Myth states that the four suits represent the four seasons, and that the 52 cards represent the 52 weeks of the year. I discovered that each individual suit has many themes.
Hearts represent spring, home, hearts, emotions, love, childhood, vulnerability, art, poetry music, water and Karma. Clubs represent summer, education, mind, intellect, musing, young, irresponsibility, literature, air and drama. Diamonds represent fall, career, security, values, judgement, adult, responsibility, entertainment, fire, and material goods. Spades represent winter, environment, wisdom, health, acceptance, old age, transformation, scripture, earth, workaholic, old souls and warriors.
The options are endless and the series will continue to grow weekly with new characters: a pilot (in honor of the many pilots who we have met with and served with in Arizona), biker (El Tour de Tucson), tennis player, a pickleballer (to honor Jalapeńo, who introduced me to this fun sport!), musician, and artist, a fisher, a chef, and of course, we will need Aces for Wilbur the Wildcat, Sparky – Forks Up, and a Northern AZ Lumberjack.
I have prints made of each piece. The background colors are all similar. They are full sized canvas or paper (12″ x 16″) and a smaller paper set (9″ x 12″) . My hopeful gamble is that people will want to piece together their own Full House, Black Jack, Straight or Flush, or even a single card, as a entertaining conversation piece for their wall or as a gift for someone special.
From August 1, 2020 through January 31, 2021, you can find these pieces and more of my work at the Southern Arizona Arts Guild Gallery, located at the lovely La Encantada Mall, 2905 E Skyline Drive, Tucson, AZ 85718.
When I was a kid, one of my favorite challenges was working through a Hidden Pictures puzzle. I had a subscription to Highlights (who remembers Highlights??) and every month when the issue would arrive in the mailbox, I would race off to my room with a pencil and turn the pages until I found the Hidden Pictures puzzle.
The challenge began and the excitement lasted until the last picture was found. And then I had to wait an entire month for the next issue! They were certainly entertaining. They also forced me to look at things from many angles. I think about Hidden Pictures often. You can now purchase the books online. Or you can print them at home for free (a GREAT distraction for anyone/children in quarantine, by the way!). You are never to old to enjoy them. I even sent these puzzles to my father-in-law to keep him entertained. And I keep a book of Hidden Pictures Puzzles in our family room.
My mixed media creations are a lot like Hidden Pictures. I always encourage people to zoom in and look for surprises that develop the stories behind the pieces. It is always fun to point out what is really there. So let’s have a hidden pictures challenge (mine are much easier than the Highlights version!).
Cowboy King, 2020, Mixed Media, 12′ x 16″
I am creating a new series of playing cards based on my home state of Arizona. As I am planning pieces, I fill my sketchbook with ideas and I even do research on my subject. My Cowboy King is the first of the series to celebrate rodeo and the ranchers of Arizona, which are both significant here. So here is your hidden pictures challenge: boots, spurs, brand, bucking bronco, rope, stirrup, wagon wheel, bandana, horseshoes, music, guns, a longhorn, saguaro, and constellations.
Pueblo Queen, 2020, Mixed Media, 12″ x 16″
My second piece in the series is the Pueblo Queen. I enjoyed reading up on the women of the tribes, who were massive contributors in every way, from hunting and gathering to rearing children and making tools, among many other things. Here are the hidden pictures to discover: map of the plains, American flag, fish, dream catcher, corn, berries, a bear paw, tepees, arrow, fire, kokopelli, feathers, horseshoes, blankets, music.
The Arizona series will soon be growing. We will have a King of the (Golf) Course, a Bikini Queeni, a Jack of the Trails, and a Cowgirl Queen, along with many others. Be sure to look closely when you see them. You just never know what you might find!
