2024 GALLERIUM ART EXHIBITION

TITLE: I’M TIRED OF NOT BEING SEEN

THEME: MELANCHOLY
EXHIBITION LOCATION: VANCOUVER/BC/CANADA

THE BACK STORY

Those who have watched my water drop paintings develop over the years, might not guess that there was a time when I believed I could not paint.  

I have not shown this painting to anyone outside of a couple of people.  I didn’t think it had any worth nor value as a piece of art to anyone except myself.  It was created sometime between late 1967 and 1976 when I was a  fledgling art student who knew nothing about art, painting, nor life.       

 While I looked fine on the outside, I felt sick on the inside. Which is reflected in the colors.  I was hoping someone would see my pain and help me.

Back story: I had attended 7 years of Catholic boarding school from age 11 through graduation, then attended college, gotten married and moved to California.  While I hated being in boarding school and could not comprehend exactly why I was there, I knew it was better than living at home. 

I went on to college because that is what I was told to do. I agreed to an arranged marriage because I couldn’t believe someone was actually paying attention to me and thought that with him I could get free.  Only in California did I realize I traded one confine to another and yet another.

Fast forward to the present. When the gallery entry theme of “MELANCHOLY” appeared in my email box, this painting popped into my mind.  Even now when I think of creating this painting, it brings tears to my eyes and a “melancholy” sadness because, in ways, I am still attached to the feelings that child experienced.  

I am warmed, now, by the thought and knowledge that I, that former young woman, have overcome all my past.  I find great joy, peace, acceptance and accomplishment with whom, I, the elder, have become.  I am a survivor on so many levels.  And I am honored that I can stand in place, today, as the woman seen. 

MEDIUM: Acrylic on Canvas
SIZE:  24”x 24” - 91.4cm x 91.4cm - YEAR: Early 1970’s