whispering spells of protection

Note: This piece was selected for the “Art at the Avenue” Exhibition, a juried exhibition hosted by the South Cobb Arts Alliance in Marietta, GA on August 27 - September 17, 2022; it won the Judge’s Merit Award.

I grew up in a Catholic family where prayer was a regular part of life. These days I am not a person who prays—at least not in the way I used to—but I’ve recognized that a significant proportion of my inner monologue is a soft stream of telepathic messages that I silently broadcast to others. I regularly “send” well-wishes to my kids or my family when I know they have a hurdle to face, or thoughts of comfort to the mother in the news who recently lost her son, or hope to the families facing famine, war, separation, and sickness. I send happy thoughts too: celebrating a friend on her 40th birthday, cheering for a contemporary’s successful collection, appreciating my kids playing in the sun, or encouraging the hyacinth poking up from the ground. “Whispering Spells of Protection” is characterized by a soft blue background, multi-layered and textural, topped with a grid of squares in shades of blue, yellow, green, and pink.

30x48” acrylic and collage (paper and fabric) on gallery-wrapped canvas, sealed with satin varnish. Sides are painted and hanging hardware is installed on the back.

Copyright 2022.