Seated is a series of ten square format acrylic on canvas images that continue the exploration of saturated colour, and introduces text for the first time. All figures are seated on versions of the same ornate chair. All explore the lives of women, their relationships to men and to each other, and the many emotions and changes they experience as they live their lives from birth to old age and approaching death. Some of these images are personal; some are portraits of real people; some are more symbolic. All evoke the pain and wonder of being female.
Siblings
This image explores the rich relationship of a brother and sister, riding their chairs on a motorcycle journey through life. Their lives are separate, but parallel, and the complex patterns on the backs of the chairs hint at the multiple memories and experiences they share.
Survivor
Many women find themselves the sole survivor of their lifelong relationships. They outlive parents, siblings, spouses and motor on alone, the last of their generation to carry the legacy of all.
Spouses
We all know couples who share their lives so long they come to resemble each other. The relationship of this couple is like that. They do not touch, but their costumes and attitudes reflect their close connections.
Selves
As we grow older, each one of us grows and changes and becomes someone different. But the old selves do not get lost or disappear. We carry inside all of the selves that once were us. This woman, so beautiful in her nineties, is the mother of six, grandmother of many, great grandmother of more. But she still carries within her the beautiful young bride on the brink of her life.
Sisters
I have been told that blood sisters can share a complex relationship of love and rivalry. But sisters, whether siblings or the sisters we find for ourselves in the world, find each other when they need someone to lean on.
Sibyls
Women create the magic in life. These two women, with their owl companions are the symbol of that magic.
Serenity Senility
A friend once sent me a picture of an older relative, living in care now, who wore a live snake around her neck. I knew immediately that that image would find its way into a painting one day, and here it is. I thought it was an image of contrasts, but a friend showed me that the two words can mean the same thing. This woman is serene enough to forget her fear of snakes and wear it as a necklace.
Support
Women are the main support of women through all the joys and sorrows of their lives.
Sprouts
These four beautiful females found their way on to my canvas to symbolize the earth-shattering experience of maternity. I was never a mother, but I certainly was a sprout.
Security
When three generations of women can experience the close and long term relationship of these three, they hold the key to life-long security.
Beautiful Collection.