Please join me for a two day gallery opening event at my private studio at 609 S. Prospect St. Apt 1, Galena, IL.
Wine, beer and cheese opening night, Friday May 8th 5 pm to midnight. Tea and cookies Saturday afternoon, May 9th, noon to 6 pm. Drop in any time during the two day event.
View works in progress, and all art and some fine antiques will be available for purchase. Special savings offered on commissioned artwork.
At the easel, March 2015
Portrait commission, work in progress May, 2015
Welcome to my studio! Works from The White Album series in the entry hall.
Detail from a digital piece by Vladimir Fokanov, rendered in letterpress on fine paper by Peter Fraterdeus.
Also showing selected limited edition signed and numbered letterpress prints from Russian artist Vladimir Fokanov and Peter Fraterdeus of Slowprint, Dubuque, IA.
"To
experience peace does not mean that your life is always blissful. It
means you are capable of tapping into a blissful state of mind amidst
the normal chaos of a hectic life."
With my employer, nature photographer Thomas Mangelsen and Peter Fraterdeus,
Galena, October 2012, photo by Tracey Russett
Boxing Day – I had a partial seizure Dec 26, 2012 at
about 9pm in Galena, Illinos.
I was at home after a very stressful day at work at the Mangelsen Gallery, and making Alu Gobi –
cauliflower and potato curry with rice and waiting for my companion Peter Fraterdeus to return from his letterpress studio in Dubuque. After he arrived we shared notes about our day and we were
waiting for the curry to cook down a bit. I remarked a couple of times that I
was having an odd feeling, kind of déjà vu – but I continued to stir the pot.
Suddenly I felt very strange – I was stirring the pot but I knew I was not
really stirring, the motion of stirring was there but I was staring off into
space and the spoon was not really down in the curry – and I was trying to tell
Peter that something was wrong but I was not able to speak. He was saying
something to me but I could not reply, and then he noticed that something was
very wrong. I became suddenly extremely weak and dropped the spoon into the curry and
grabbed the oven door handle – Peter held me and I slumped into him and he helped
me to a chair but I did not even have the strength to sit. He helped me to the
floor, got me a blanket and grabbed the phone to call 911. I kept thinking “No – don’t call the
ambulance – I can’t afford this right now!” but then thinking “What is wrong
with me – am I having a heart attack? Am I having a stroke? I think Peter MUST
call for help – he is doing the right thing to call - why can’t I talk to him –
I want to say something but only one word comes out at a time.” It was like my
mind was in overdrive but my body was not fully connected or engaged and had its
own agenda.
By the time the
paramedics arrived I was having spasms in my arms – worse on the left side - but
still was thinking quite lucidly. The paramedic gave me oxygen and took my vitals and assured me that
they were normal. As he asked me questions I was able to respond but the words
came slow and brief. The paramedics brought in a chair stretcher and took me out the
front door and down the tilted, steep and icy front steps of Peter’s front
yard on a hill to the waiting ambulance. Even at the time I saw the humor in
the situation and I felt quite calm as the paramedics struggled to get me down
the steps and then worried about how they would get me into the ambulance
parked uphill. They commented to each other that if they opened both of the ambulance's back doors, the
inside stretcher would fall out and race down the street! So they finally
asked me if they supported me I could climb up into the ambulance – how strange
that they did not park facing DOWN hill – they live and work in hilly Galena every day! I was still weak but they
helped me up inside. My first ambulance ride – pretty bizarre – I watched as we passed
all the traffic lights, normally so familiar to me, but now seen while looking up, to the nearby Midwest Medical Center. Peter and my best friend Tracey Russett were with me at the Emergency Room, such a great comfort to me!
The ER staff took blood, did a chest xray, started an
IV and I recall being unable to keep my annoyance in check at the pain of the needles –
normally I would grin and bear it but I was quite vocal about my pain. I was
given something to calm me down. I was getting freaked out because I did
not know what was happening to me and was getting spasms in my arms and these were spreading
to muscles in other parts of my body. My jaw was clenching until it ached and I felt chilled to the bone. I was given a CT scan and I don’t recall having the test,
but I do recall that I was moved from one stretcher to another. The scan showed a 3 cm meningioma brain tumor in the right fronto-parietal
parasagittalregion, between the frontal and
parietal lobes, along the important large sagittal sinus vein that runs between
the right and left lobe from the front to the back of the brain. These tumors grow from the meninges - the covering of the brain - are most often found in women and are usually benign.
Above are poor photos of creased print-outs of CT or MRI images of my brain, taken December 26 and 27, 2012. The top image was taken before contrast dye was injected. The scans are reversed, so the tumor was actually in my right brain.
The doctor on
call at the medical center informed me that the “golf ball sized tumor” was probably not related at
all to the incident that sent me to the ER – that it could have been there for
decades unnoticed and that I could have it for the rest of my life without
having any trouble. He sent me home that night with literature on panic attacks plus two
sleeping pills in case I had trouble sleeping. I was told to come back the next
day for an MRI. I was able to walk back up the stairs at home that night under my own power, and had two helpings of the rice and curry! I felt fine!
Later my neurosurgeon told me I had actually had classic
partial seizure symptoms that should have been recognized, and any panic
symptoms came from my freaking out because I was having the first significant
seizure of my life. The partial seizure was definitely caused by the meningioma and this is a typical way that the tumor makes itself known. The seizure was really scary and I hope to never have
another – I never heard of “partial seizures” before, so I did not have a clue
what was happening to me. Looking back on it now, it was almost like a shamanic
or out of body experience. The feeling of déjà vu I had before the seizure was what is known as an aura. I want to think about that feeling more and use it in my art. Below is a link to share information about partial seizures, often misdiagnosed and misunderstood.
I returned to the medical center for the MRI the following day and I found I don’t really mind the scan, I kind of enjoy the
“house music” beat. I can often easily put myself into a meditative state and first I meditated but my thoughts flooded back and I found tears running down the sides of my face as I lay in the machine thinking about the past two years. This was just two days past Christmas and I longed for my kids to be near me, I felt so alone but I did not want to tell them about this incident. I still was under the impression I had had a panic attack and did not want anyone to know about it because of the stigma that some people attach to such things.
My nurse-practitioner, Margaret Dittmar, called to discuss the
results with me. She sent me copies of the MRI and CT scans which I found fascinating, although it was quite a
shock to see the size of that growth in my head that had been there for
some time without my ever knowing. Margaret referred me to a neurosurgeon giving me options to go
for treatment in either Iowa City, Chicago, or the University of
Wisconsin hospital at Madison. My first thought was to go to Chicago since I
lived most of my life there and still have extended family in the area, but
since I thought I may be put on watch and wait I might not want to inform my
mom of the condition unless surgery became inevitable. Since Madison is closest
to Galena, I instead asked to see a surgeon at UW. The university chose Dr.
Robert Dempsey as the best fit for my condition and how fortunate for me that I
was placed in the hands of the very best, the head of the neurosurgery
department at the University and a very kind and gentle man of spirit. My first
visit to Dr. Dempsey was on Wednesday January 16, 2013. It turns out I have a
friend whose husband was operated on by Dr. Dempsey several times and had rave reviews for him. Also, our
Chicago area dentist who has been a lifelong family friend also knows Dr.
Dempsey because their wives were roommates in college!
It was decided by the doctor that
resection of the tumor was needed. I asked if I would not be a good candidate
for watch and wait, but Dr. Dempsey said that in his opinion the tumor had already
remained too long and was already affecting my motor skills and vision on the left
side. It was not clear if my depression or any other personality changes could have been caused by the slow growing tumor. The doctor apologized that my handwriting would not improve post surgery - darn! I did shed a few tears once I knew I would have to have a craniotomy on February 8, 2013 - mostly because I did not want to have to tell my mother about it. In the end Mom was as strong as always, and she was also grateful that I had such a great surgeon, and an Irishman too!
The doctor prescribed Keppra to control and prevent seizures for before and after surgery. These were difficult to adjust to at first, making me very fatigued. After a week or so of taking the medicine I felt stronger and also realized that I must have been having minor partial seizures for a while because I no longer had spasms or stabbing pains in my left arm.
A high frequency MRI at University of Wisconsin was scheduled for January
23, 2013, so that the doctor could better map out his plan for surgery. So we returned to Madison the following week. This MRI
was felt more deeply than the first – I could feel the scan go through
particular areas of my head – I felt the waves go through my eyes and I could
tell when the scans exited out the top or one side of my head and past my ear. It was not
painful, but a definite vibrating sensation. I am really curious about the MRI
images and how my head looks inside, and spent more time researching the
workings of the physical brain, what areas affect different parts of the body,
language skills, vision, etc. I watched videos like the TED talk by Neuroanatomist Jill Bolte Taylor about how it feels to have a stroke. I am more aware of the power of the right brain. What an amazing organ, our beautiful brain! I mourned
about the brain injury that had already taken place without my knowledge, I fretted about a possible loss of vision or creativity, but at
the same time I was grateful that the growth was found and was curable, and most likely benign!
Feb 2, 2013 My post on the Meningioma Mommas Facebook Group:“My Meningioma
has been throbbing tonight - he must know he will be history by this time next
week. Bye bye baby! ;-) I don't recall having
this specific sensation before I was diagnosed - but now, knowing its location
- there is no doubt that is where that "beat" is coming from. I just
hope M has not been the source of my creativity spurt of the past few years because
my art is going to suffer if so. I feel there have been some deficits recently
too. I expect healing to be slow and will try to be patient with myself. The
spongy brain will slowly grow back into the space where the tumor once sat, but
there will be residual swelling post op and the damage from compressed blood
vessels will repair more or less over time, although some damage will never
reverse.”
I am working on one more blog post about the surgery and recovery. I will be on disability for two months post-op. There is still time to give to the Alice Recovery Fund and there will also be an art auction fundraiser in Galena, Illinois at Miss Kitty's Grape Escape! Thanks to Joe and Lydia at Pinder Pottery. Thank you to all for the many ways you have shown your love and support! It has helped my state of mind and healing - I am so grateful!
Time to call on the Butterfly Muse!
photo and concept by Bob Lieberman for the Artists of Galena photo project 2013
Video footage of "Black Butterfly: the muse" solo exhibition at 33 Collective Gallery, Chicago. Opening Reception was September 18, 2009. Show ran until October 10th. Thanks to Sergio Gomez for providing this video.
I love opening nights and the "Black Butterfly: the muse" reception was the best ever for me. The show was well attended, partly because of the support of many friends, and also because of the vibrancy of the community of my co-op gallery at 33 Collective and also the Zhou B Art Center Chicago, which are both open the third Friday of each month. The reaction to my work far exceeded my expectations and I spent the night answering many questions about my process and imagery. My husband Steve White sang and played his own songs at the reception. Christine Pfeiffer read some of her own writings, as well as my poems and those of Maya Angelou and Oscar Wilde. Many thanks to both of you for lending an extra dash of culture and class to the event! Also, big thanks to Sergio Gomez for all of your help setting up the show.
Here are photos from the opening reception which took place Friday September 18th, 2009. Thanks to my friends Mike Barret Kolasinski and Mary Beth Deitrick for taking photos for me throughout the evening.
Gallery hours at 33 Collective, Monday through Thursday: 10 am to 2 pm Friday: 10 am to 7 pm
Zhou B. Art Center 1029 W. 35th St. First Floor Chicago, IL 60609 Ph. 708-837-4534
Opening Reception: Friday, September 18 from 7 - 10 pm Featuring live dance performances, music by Steve White and poetry readings by Christine Pfeiffer.
White lilies and panthea moth. Charcoal and white pastel on Mylar drafting film, 16 x 12", in vintage frame. The white lily was the signature flower for Oscar Wilde, and I also consider it my own signature flower. I’ve used it as a logo since I started my career as an artist, and also have used the lily often in the Black Butterfly muse series. I love the symbolism of peace and purity.
Wilde writes of lilies in his poem “Panthea.” Wilde’s beliefs were Pantheistic, characterized by oneness with nature. The word pantheism derives from the Greek words pan ('all') and theos ('God'). Thus pantheism means 'All is God'. Pantheism is the religious belief that Nature is divine (God) and we humans are part of the One, interconnected whole. It is in realizing our connection to the One Universe (Nature, God, Brahman, Tao, Space) that we find truth, spiritual fulfillment and solace. Pantheists usually deny the existence of a personal God (theism) and creationism (a separate God who created the world from nothing).
Many philosophers, scientists, poets and artists have identified themselves with pantheism since antiquity. Spinoza (Ethics, 1673), Henry David Thoreau, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Oscar Wilde, Henri Matisse and Albert Einstein are some famous pantheists.
There is a moth by the same name, and I like the idea of the dusky moth with the white flower.
From "Panthea" by Oscar Wilde
Nay, let us walk from fire unto fire, From passionate pain to deadlier delight,- I am too young to live without desire, Too young art thou to waste this summer night Asking those idle questions which of old Man sought of seer and oracle, and no reply was told.
For sweet, to feel is better than to know, And wisdom is a childless heritage, One pulse of passion-youth's first fiery glow,- Are worth the hoarded proverbs of the sage: Vex not thy soul with dead philosophy, Have we not lips to kiss with, hearts to love, and eyes to see!
Dost thou not hear the murmuring nightingale Like water bubbling from a silver jar, So soft she sings the envious moon is pale, That high in heaven she hung so far She cannot hear that love-enraptured tune,- Mark how she wreathes each horn with mist, yon late and laboring moon.
White lilies, in whose cups the gold bees dream, The fallen snow of petals where the breeze Scatters the chestnut blossom, or the gleam Of all our endless sins, our vain endeavor Enough for thee, dost thou desire more? Alas! the Gods will give naught else from their eternal store….
Charcoal and white pastel pencil on Mylar drafting film. Image size 4 x 2", frames 5 3/4 x 3"
I found these fabulous small vintage solid brass religious icon shrines at my local antique dealer's. There were yellowing postcards of Jesus and Saint Therese in the frames, but I got sacrilegious and drew butterflies for them instead. I've used a paisley patterned backing paper behind the translucent Mylar - nice with the brass of the frames. The doors are hinged.
The butterfly has long been a Christian symbol of resurrection, for it disappears into a cocoon and appears dead, but emerges later far more beautiful and powerful than before.
As a symbol of Christ's resurrection after three days in the grave, the butterfly is seen especially around Easter. But the butterfly is also a symbol of every Christian's hope of resurrection from the dead.
A surrealistic impression of John Lennon's murder.
For the drawing, I've used a reference photo of the Charter Arms .38 revolver the police confiscated at the scene of the crime, tagged as shown in the photo. The butterflies, white lily, and stormy backdrop are from my own references I took on recent vacations. The flower placed inside the gun barrel is reminiscent of 1967's “Flower Power,” photo by Bernard Norman, showing a long-haired antiwar protester shoving carnations into the gun barrels of MPs during an anti-Vietnam protest at the Pentagon. The caterpillar and butterflies are symbols of the earthly life, spirit, and transformation in the afterlife, and were often used by artist Salvador Dalí.
Lennon was murdered on December 8, 1980, shot four times in the back.
In 1979, Lennon's assassin (nameless, as Yoko requested) began drinking heavily and developed an obsession for contemporary art. He bought numerous items of art, including a Salvador Dali, amassing a debt that was becoming way out of control. He began reading with an insatiable appetite, especially “The Catcher in The Rye.” He often interpreted lyrics as if they had been written especially for him. #9 Dream from Lennon's "Walls & Bridges" album was a special song for John - some say the strange and haunting lyrics of #9 Dream are John's premonition of his own death. According to John, the foreign-sounding phrase "Ah! böwakawa poussé, poussé." doesn't mean anything...it is just a phrase that came to him in a dream and he decided to base a song around it.
As I was drawing from the storm landscape reference photo, I noticed a vague dark spout along the horizon. There was a tornado touchdown this past July during the storm I had photographed while we were driving, skirting the eye of the storm near Galena, Illinois. I'm not sure if I had captured the funnel's beginning, but I emphasized the funnel effect in my drawing. The sense of impending doom was strong that afternoon and it matches my unease in the current climate in the states.
My motivation for drawing this piece is the surge in gun sales since U.S. President Obama was elected, just one of the many issues in the current American landscape. "It's simply paranoia," said Thomas Mannard of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence. "And it's irresponsible, from my point of view, to be touting how wonderful this is. More guns definitely equal more death."
Mr. Lennon still inspires.
I have a dream...
#9 Dream
So long ago Was it in a dream, was it just a dream? I know, yes I know Seemed so very real, it seemed so real to me
Took a walk down the street Thru the heat whispered trees I thought I could hear (hear, hear, hear) Somebody call out my name, as it started to rain
Dream, dream away Magic in the air, was magic in the air? I believe, yes I believe More I cannot say, what more can I say?
On a river of sound Thru the mirror go round, round I thought I could feel (feel, feel, feel) Music touching my soul, something warm, sudden cold The spirit dance was unfolding
Solo Exhibition opens September 18th through October 10th 2009 at 33 Collective Gallery at Zhou B Art Center, Chicago.
Statement:
It’s all about inspiration.
In my series of symbolist figurative works “Black Butterfly: The Muse,” the ethereal butterfly represents the artist's muse and subjects are always those who are involved in the creative arts. Butterflies may seem a trite symbol, but in the summer of 2008, I had an unusual amount of butterfly sightings, especially black varieties. These occurred just as I was going through a burst of artistic creativity. I wrote my first poem in decades about the encounters as metaphoric of the artist's muse and began to include butterflies in a new series of charcoal drawings executed on heavy weight frosted Mylar drafting film.
I'm most influenced by the visionary artists, magic realists such as the Pre-Raphaelites, William Blake, Dante Gabriel Rossetti and Andrew Wyeth. I admire the deep emotion they convey through use of the figure and props and their subtle manipulation of reality.
Classical themes from literature or gods and goddesses find a place in “Black Butterfly.” The artist’s muse and gifts can have destructive effects on the ego, and the butterfly metaphor of death and transformation in the afterlife is a strong element in my works depicting celebrities who died through drug abuse or murder. Celebrity portraits have an element of a “cover tune” and are not my usual fare; however, I have used a few of them here to illustrate the idea of giftedness and the celebrity that can be the result of strong personal charisma. These icons of popular culture are our heroes, gods and goddesses of our era. Wherever possible, I have obtained the permission of the original photographer to use their references.
While I most often use my own references, I also embrace the contemporary idea of internet community, sometimes presenting drawings from online artist friend’s self-portrait photography. Combining historical classical painting themes with these personas and symbols, my intent is to relate a deeper truth about the subject and the meanings of life and art in general.
From a technical aspect, I enjoy playing with the translucent quality of the Mylar film in the drawn and erased surface, which is so beautiful for rendering the reflective quality of human complexions. I am also experimenting with the color and texture of the backing paper, sometimes layering a drawing or digital image on the backing paper which shows through the Mylar surface. One drawing of John Lennon is framed in a lighted shrine box, with an electric candle shining through the Mylar. Cast off vintage frames are part of my process; I enjoy taking something that may be regarded as trash and reusing it in an unexpected and creative manner. These lend a sculptural quality in the work, and reflect on my classic style and subject matter.
These drawings are meant to be noble representations of individual subjects, and also illustrative of the best aspects of our time: bringing together a wealth of influences, a recognition of art history, and a contemporary attitude, to create images that are of the moment, but that hopefully will also remain relevant in the future.
“We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty.” ~ Maya Angelou
Black Butterfly series, miniature portrait of poet and author Maya Angelou. Charcoal and white pastel on Mylar drafting film with digital print poem underlay, in vintage tabletop swing frame. Image size 9 x 7"
Still I Rise by Maya Angelou
You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I'll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? 'Cause I walk like I've got oil wells Pumping in my living room.
Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I'll rise.
Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops. Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you? Don't you take it awful hard 'Cause I laugh like I've got gold mines Diggin' in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I'll rise.
Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I've got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history's shame I rise Up from a past that's rooted in pain I rise I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise.
From the “Black Butterfly: The Muse” series, installation portrait of John Lennon, charcoal on Mylar drafting film, 15 x 14” in vintage lighted corner shrine box, overall 20 x 18 x 10.” The translucent Mylar allows the back lighting to shine through the drawing. There is a small installation on the built-in shelf of the box: a traditional Indian oil lamp and incense burner, and a photo of Lennon with second wife Yoko Ono, from the cover of “The Wedding Album” (1969.) There will eventually be a real decoupage butterfly on the upper portion of the box. In the photo, I have taped a temporary one to the box to show placement.
John Winston Ono Lennon, (October 9, 1940 – December 8, 1980) was an English rock musician, singer, songwriter, artist and peace activist and one of the founding members of The Beatles. My installation piece is inspired by the John Lennon 1970 single Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) and incorporates references to the Beatles trip to India in 1968 to study Transcendental Meditation. Lennon’s resemblance to Jesus in the portrait is intentional as an acknowledgment of his March 4, 1966 statement to the press: “(The Beatles are) more popular than Jesus now; I don't know which will go first-rock 'n' roll or Christianity.”
In February 1968, the flower-power counterculture was alive and well, flourishing in a village called Rishikesh in the Himilayan foothills. There, the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was offering a three-month course in transcendental meditation.
While other swamis were offering traditional spiritual instruction in modest huts along the banks of the Ganges, the Maharishi had constructed an air-conditioned ashram — surrounded by barbed wire — for the comfort and privacy of celebrity acolytes such as actress Mia Farrow, Beach Boy Mike Love, folk singer Donovan and, of course, John, Paul, George and Ringo.
Symbolism:
In Hinduism, the lotus (water lily) primarily represents beauty and non-attachment. The lotus is rooted in the mud but floats on the water without becoming wet or muddy. This symbolizes how one should live in the world in order to gain release from rebirth: without attachment to one's surroundings. Water has been an object of worship since a very early age among the Hindus, and plays an important role even today in Hindu religious rites. During all purification rites, water is sprinkled on the object to be purified. The butterfly is symbolic to me as Lennon’s muse, or inspiration, and in this case, is also a symbol for transformation in the afterlife.
I used several different reference photos of John Lennon combined to create this unique image. The clouds across his forehead are taken from the cover of Lennon's "Imagine" album. The mosaic backdrop is from photos of the John Lennon Imagine memorial mosaic at Strawberry Fields in Central Park in New York City. The Lotus reference was taken by my good friend Lindybird.
I listened to John Lennon’s music, and covers of it as well, throughout the drawing process. I was frequently moved to tears by the fact that so many of the lyrics are still relevant today.
~ Imagine Peace! ~ Alice
(For my September solo exhibition, the installation will be placed in a darkened corner of the gallery, and there will be more items related to John Lennon’s life included on a pedestal.)
Studio music:
“Imagine” John Lennon “Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur” “Across the Universe Soundtrack”
Instant Karma! (We All Shine On) lyrics
Songwriter: John Winston Lennon
Instant Karma's gonna get you, Gonna knock you right on the head, You better get yourself together, Pretty soon you're gonna be dead, What in the world you thinking of, Laughing in the face of love, What on earth you tryin' to do, It's up to you, yeah you.
Instant Karma's gonna get you, Gonna look you right in the face, Better get yourself together darlin', Join the human race, How in the world you gonna see, Laughin' at fools like me, Who on earth d'you think you are, A super star, Well, right you are.
Well we all shine on, Like the moon and the stars and the sun, Well we all shine on, Ev'ryone come on.
Instant Karma's gonna get you, Gonna knock you off your feet, Better recognize your brothers, Ev'ryone you meet, Why in the world are we here, Surely not to live in pain and fear, Why on earth are you there, When you're ev'rywhere, Come and get your share.
Well we all shine on, Like the moon and the stars and the sun, Yeah we all shine on, Come on and on and on on on, Yeah yeah, alright, uh huh, ah-.
Well we all shine on, Like the moon and the stars and the sun, Yeah we all shine on, On and on and on on and on.
Well we all shine on, Like the moon and the stars and the sun. Well we all shine on, Like the moon and the stars and the sun. Well we all shine on, Like the moon and the stars and the sun. Yeah we all shine on, Like the moon and the stars and the sun.
“Instant Karma: The Amnesty International Campaign to Save Darfur”
Janis Joplin portrait for the "Black Butterfly" series, charcoal on mylar, 24 x 16" from a photo by Bob Seidemann. The wings are from a "Mother of Pearl" butterfly, and the background is inspired by Janis's song "Half Moon" - here pictured as the waning moon.
Lyrics: "Half moon, night time sky, Seven stars, Heaven’s eyes"
I watched many Youtube videos and bios while creating this. "Pearl" packed so much living into 27 years, and her death was a great loss to the music scene.
In the "Black Butterfly" works, butterflies represent the artist's muse, and my subjects are always those who are involved in the creative arts; musicians, actors, poets, or visual artists. I’m currently using pop figures or artistic friends I’ve met in person or on the internet as models, incorporating classical subjects from literature, or Gods and Goddesses from various cultures in addition to the butterfly/muse theme. I'm interested in the idea of the ways the artist’s muse and gifts can also have negative effects on the ego, and of course the butterfly metaphor of death and transformation is a strong element in this piece.
