The Guardian SeriesGuardian of More: The Hungry Ghost
Mixed Media Assemblage Date: 2012 Old hand vacuum cleaner, bank bags, buttons, beads, charms, yarn, praying hands ceramic, baby Buddhas, bow tie, game board, and wooden shoe stretchers. sculpted head. On the one hand as an artist I want to create from an abundance of materials, yet too much brings with it a sense of being overwhelmed with choices and getting bogged down in projects that are never quite complete. In Buddhist legend, the Hungry Ghost represents the realm of addictions, cravings and always wanting more. The Hungry Ghost clings to these things that he mistakenly thinks will bring satisfaction and relief but don’t. The Buddha in this Realm holds a Bowl from which the 'gifts of the gods' are distributed. This is to entice the hungry ghosts to desire for the Truth which is the only way that the deepest longings and hungers can be satisfied. |
Guardian of What is Possible, Come Alive Muse
Media: Mixed Media Assemblage Date: 2008 Dimensions: 32 1/2" high, 28" wide, 10" deep Porcelain doll head, wooden filial, painted cloth fan, ceramic shoes, candle base, wooden base, letters, doll arms, wire, key, ceramic heart that opens, silk turnings, prayer flags. The Guardian of What is Possible holds the key to a vibrant surge of energy that longs to burst out from me, shoes waiting to be filled with my colorful projects, her fan wings open to the world. She holds rolled up prayer scrolls to inspire me not to hoard my ideas and invokes the Howard Thurman quote to remind me to come alive. The egg in her headdress is protected by bands of a rainbow. This muse sometimes overwhelms me with ideas and creates a feeling of guilt when I don’t live up to her abundance. "Ask not what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive...then go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."--Howard Thurman |
Guardian of the Weary
Media: Mixed Media Sculpture Date: 2011 Dimensions: 20” high, 10” wide, 5 1/2” deep The Guardian of the Weary cobbles itself together from old tools, creating a Frankenstein self that champions all those who work hard to keep their bodies and souls together in this crazy economy. It is constructed of rusted metal parts found on the side of the road, old chain saw and circular saw blades, pliers, wood, a wood planer, stained paint sticks, wire, alphabet letters, and a doll’s head. |