*“2020 Reframed" 24" x 24" Acrylic, cloth, papers, strings, and threads on canvas.*

“2020 Reframed” has been accepted into the MAH’s upcoming exhibit.

Exhibit: In These Uncertain Times
at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History (MAH)
beginning on January 15, 2021

2020 is no ordinary year… filled with layers of challenges and unlike any we’ve experienced. Early in the year, I started to notice an unusual presence of RE-WORDS showing up in my life and in the world around me. I am referring to an abundance of words beginning with the letters RE. (Retreat, rediscover, recreate, reinvent, recover...) It’s been a year in which we’ve all had reasons to RE-vise our plans, RE-assess our priorities, and RE-define our lives. We have waited for businesses to RE-open and wondered if and when we might RE-turn to “normal.”

Back in May, I created a RE-WORDS concertina sketchbook, an eight page book built to highlight these words. Once it was completed, I felt a strong need to continue working on this project, but in a larger format. So I printed my collection of re-words in different fonts and sizes and began constructing a painting. “2020 Reframed” is loaded with words appearing on layers and strips of raw canvas. The prepared layers have been stitched together and are sewn onto a 24” x 24” stretched canvas. The loose threads and textures further represent a time in which our personal and societal threads have been laid bare.

Here are some details of the completed painting:

AND not long after the completion of this painting, a new word emerged: RE-population. It’s used when fire evacuees are returned to their homes. (Luckier than many, we are very thankful to have had a home to return to.)

Here’s a look at my recently completed RE-WORDS concertina sketchbook, produced on canvas. This book is centered around the theme of RE-Words. Early in the year, my 2020 seemed to be one of redo, rework, recreate, and recover. As 2020 has developed into a year like no other, more and more words keep showing up. (reopen, reconnect, retreat, revise, restart)

In creating this book, I had a few objectives in mind: to create two page spreads rather than individual pages, to combine circular elements with linear shapes, and to spread the RE-WORDS throughout. And most importantly, to create a concertina sketchbook on raw canvas with textures, threads, and frayed edges. (I’ve used cloth, papers, ink, acrylic, with threads and text on raw canvas for this book.)

The process of working on the book became an interesting journey and a means of processing all that was happening out in the world, as I sheltered in place in my studio.

During 2020:

I’ve had to REVISE my plans for the year.
I’m REASSESSING everything.
I’ve spent time RECREATING work from the past.
I’m RECOVERING from the losses experienced in the past year.
I am RE-IMAGINING what life may be like moving forward.
I’ve been REDIRECTING my creative energies and focus.
I’m REMAKING my life under new circumstances.
I can’t help but REFLECT on where I’ve been in the past few months, the state of the world now, and how it compares to different times, in different ages.
I question what of the past is best to let go of and what we will be able to RECLAIM in the future.
I’m REALIZING that this book will not satisfy my need to explore these words. I’ve already begun working on a Re-Words painting.
I wonder what the effects will be once businesses REOPEN.
What will the tapestry of life look like once we RE-THREAD it?
How soon will I be comfortable to really RECONNECT with friends and family?
RESTART is the first word appearing on page one and the last word on the final page of the book. Each day and each project becomes a RESTART.
As I look towards the future and the path forward, after these days of sheltered in place, we will need to REBOOT our lives, RESTORE what is possible and what makes sense, and REBOUND as best as we can... hopefully, in a kind, compassionate, and healthy way.

A concertina book can become a mini series of pieces, all connected as one attached progression. And I love working in a series and I’ve loved working on this book. I can definitely see myself doing more books in the future, on raw canvas. This is where I’m at home... with the textures, threads, and the frayed edges of the canvas.

I’m sure most of you have had your own 2020 reasons to revise, reassess, reflect, etc. I wish you health and safety and the ability to experience the future as a fresh and positive RESTART.