Artists Statement
Beauty from Ash embodies my journey from trauma to wellbeing through stages of recollection, reduction, rebirthing, and renewal.
This work joins deconstructed history into reconstructed abstract circular forms having no dominant top or bottom, or defined beginning or end. Within the rectilinear works, circles represent pockets of life within the whole or collective groupings of the shared parts of life seasons. The fibre vessels represent the womb of life and renewal. There is a mix of coloured works and formed powders and charcoal.
Elements divested of power within collected objects, minerals, vegetation, stories, and documents using fire and a bench grinder, are hung alongside painted forms. Powerful history represented in colour or reconstituted from elements reduced to ash, and ground archival dust of varying chroma. The “ash-ets” of dust are coaxed to rest upon varying polymers, encaustic mediums, or fixatives, joined with powdered pigments, and gold leaf.
Ash cleansed and neutralized the pain of my history as I searched for the beauty of a life well lived amidst the shred and burn of trauma. The journey through ash to beauty is about personally, and prophetically, establishing these evidentiary testaments of living through loss. Making beauty out of dust, within the continuous circle of shared human existence.
“Behold I make all things new…”
The Bible
Re:Membering
There is no north, south, east, or west in this work. It is a circle, with no dominant position.
As we move on from here, from the place where we have advantaged ourselves one over another, may we shift to one witheach other.
For me, unlearning has been about recollecting understanding, reflection, and reminding my ‘self’ that I can become a different soul, I can be remembered into community in a new way..
I want to be part of a community table of remembering wherein each one lays themselves in beside another and collectively we create a place of abiding where the absence of one part of that assemblage would be a loss to the collective work of humanity.
Fire, charcoal, heavy gel, gel medium, charcoal dust, and glazing medium on wood panel
36” x 1.5”
B R E A T H E
As I learn about lands and peoples, I unlearn models of power that put lives in jeopardy. This artwork reminds me of the story of those I have met.
Created from travel ash, Bahamian clay tile roofing from time past, and dried lavender, I can feel the fresh breeze move through my being, as I begin to learn anew.
Ash, crushed red roof tile, dried lavender, pouring medium, fixative on round birch panel with a rough aluminum edge 36”x1.5”
BREATHE
HOLDING SPACE
Part of the Re: Membering series of works unfolding within Beauty from Ashes. Each person present was invited to pick their piece of charcoal and remember themselves within a circle set around an open circle wood panel, washed in crushed charcoal, awaiting their contribution.
This activation piece was released to the community circle of Thesis and the Mature Student Collective as part of OCAD U – DRPT – Thesis : Studio Research final critique December 2023
Community, charcoal chunks, charcoal powder 36”x1.5”
Vessel of Honour
There are multitudes of people who care for and nurture the gifts that we are to others. For some I am a part of the vessel that supports the glory of God in their lives, Many times, I am the one being supported, nurtured, and released to be a blessing to others.
This vessel represents the humble nature of the fibre of our lives woven together and pressed into service.
The common recyclable packaging for coffee makers or vacuums is repurposed here. Reconfigured as a vessel of honour coated in art and business ash within grey encaustic and covered with the fragrance of beauty found within beeswax, on the interior.
Recycled cardboard shipping forms for a coffee maker, art and business ash, beeswax-coated interior
Irregular – approx. 24” x 16”
VesselofHonour
Bowels of Mercy
Created from two crossed forms of recycled fibre. This bowl expresses the intersection of Divinity and humanity, as mercy pours forth in our lives through the cross of Jesus Christ.
I hope I remember His mercy toward me when challenges present themselves. To extend mercy, love, and life in all I do and, say.
Recycled cardboard shipping forms, art and business ash, beeswax, damar varnish, gold leaf Irregular – approx. 24”x24”
Bowels of Mercy
REDEMPTION
This fragile bowl comprised of building ash, beeswax, and damar varnish over a cast recycled paper form, tinted with scarlet oil and rubbed with gold leaf, speaks to me of the fragility of redemption in our lives, and the beauty of the Glory of God that is released in each of us.
Recycled cardboard shipping forms for a vacuum cleaner, art, and business ash, beeswax, damar varnish, gold leaf, scarlet oil paint
Irregular – approx. 9” x 9”
B U S I N E S S
I enjoy business. The exchange, the joy of connection, and relationships. I am fascinated by how the maker’s heart is engaged in creating for cultures of varying forms.
Whether in Canada, the United States, Cuba, or sketching and photographing Uganda, or Europe
– the business I started at sixteen years of age, has seen many changes and supports my philanthropic endeavours. So, I celebrated burning my business files and creating beauty from ash.
The beeswax circles represent the playful heart I have while working and the fragrance of beauty these endeavours release to others.
Business ash, Microcrystalline wax, and beeswax 24”x48”x1.5”
Receive Blessing
In my mind’s eye, I could see a lion standing, resting, observing, and protecting….in this case…He was protecting the blessing being released in my life and in the lives of others.
The blessing is shown in the form of the Dove, and the myriad of dotted metallic images that allow us to see the realm of invisible blessing.
Acrylic Gallery Depth Canvass 24”x36”
The Dreamer
People can lay hands on us, which puts us in pits, prisons, or palaces, and yet those hands do not define us.
Other people's authority around our lives may limit us. It may delay the dreams God gives us for humanity and His heart. Yet Joseph, in the older testament never gave up on those dreams.
Whoever we are, whatever our background, our history. Whether we are young, or old, we may have different abilities. Whoever we are, we are responsible to seek out and come to know the dreams of God’s heart for us and others. That we will be free to enjoy the beauty of life whether we are in a pit, a prison, or a palace.
Acrylic, and Gold Leaf
Gallery Depth Canvass
30”x48”
The Dreamer
Polarity
When divinity meets humanity, the polarizing presence of Jesus and the sacred sacrifice of His life releases transformational light in us.
Yet, we set the aperture of our lens, to define how much of His light breaks into our darkness. In some areas of our lives, we may lack enough light to see without distortion, yet we may not want more light exposure in those areas.
The absence of light reduces clarity about what is true, noble, and just. The resulting polarity divides us as persons who claim to have light in us. May we allow His sacrifice to provide the light, the lens, and the angle of His Truth as it enters our hearts. May we not settle for an obscured understanding and visage, of who He is for us, and who He can be in us, and through us.
and Gold Leaf Gallery Depth Canvass 24”x36”
Acrylic,
Story of Glory
Created ‘live’ at the launch of the StoryofGlory – Part III by Bev Foster.
As I created, the title track of this musical production resonated with my story.
“The story of glory and love …about healing and forgiveness”. This gold panel is representative of our lives together in community. Individually one 33/8’s square reflects a small amount of light and gilding – yet when we align ourselves collectively, we fit together as one, and create a panel of gold that reflects the light of the Creator in spectacular ways.
Every person in attendance that day was given a feather and asked to leave a mark in the colour they bring to the community.
Gold Leave on Canvas with Acrylic 18”x40”x1.5”
Guardian Sombrio Beach Trailhead Qwa qlis
Often, we walk tenderly when present on lands, with reverence for the creation and the Creator. There is a beauty and a healing balm that touches our souls and lifts the weight of life, off our shoulders.
This guardian is seeking direction while stewarding the protection of the easterly side of Turtle Island North.
Sombrio Beach Trailhead (Qwa:qlis)
https://g.co/kgs/DEte7e
and Oil on Canvas 24”x30”x1.5”
Acrylic
Sombrio Beach Trailhead (Qwa:qlis)
ARC Encounter
Created with the colour that best represented the individual people within this faith community
In the Older Testament - the presence of God was carried in the Ark of the Covenant.
In the Newer Testament it is carried in the ARC of His presence in people joined in common unity set as a living display of His presence. Hence, the ARC of God
on wood panel circle
40”x 1”
Acrylic
ARC . Toronto
Created with the colour that best represented the individual people I approached at CityWide in Toronto, 2023
In the Older Testament - the presence of God was carried in the Ark of the Covenant.
In the Newer Testament it is carried in the ARC of His presence in people joined in common unity set as a living display of His presence. Hence, the ARC of God
on wood panel circle 40”x 1”
Acrylic
When Heaven Meets Earth
There are times in nature, when heaven meets earth, when mist lays so heavy and so close that it refreshes the ground without rain, and we walk through places where the sky touches the earth. In times of prayer, joy, hope, faith, pursuit, inspiration, and creativity – it is there I touch transcendence as I experience the moments When Heaven Meets Earth,
Acrylic on Canvas
When Heaven Meets Earth
Glory Net, To the Ends of the Earth
The Angel of the Lord stands above the earth releasing His net around the globe, transmuting the Glory of the Lord through His being, as it cascades around the earth in prismatic colours.
As people respond and engage in the great work of God, the 'windows' of each section of this great net fill with the unique colouring of believers partnering with the God of gods in His prismatic Glory Net.
Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Canvas 48”x48”x1.5”
Sovereign – Hong Kong
When faced with overwhelming circumstances I paint and pray my way through. This is one such painting.
During the pandemic democracy was under siege in Hong Kong, as people were arrested for leading faith meetings on Zoom. I was deeply grieved as freedom in the church and in the land was compromised. So, I prayed my way through this abstract aerial view of the Hong Kong harbour
Acrylic and Gold Leaf on Canvas
Acrylic on 2” Gallery Depth Canvas 60”x24”
New Horizons – Lake Superior
If you have stood on the shores of Superior alone, with copious driftwood strewn artistically around you – then I need not explain the ‘breath’ or ‘life’ within this artist’s proof image of New Horizons. Printed on Hahnemühle Bamboo paper
Digital Print on Hahnemühle Bamboo paper
Varying Sizes Available
New Horizon – Lake Superior
The Littles
I often work quite large, and people ask me to create smaller works.
I decided to include some of my small experiments for this show, as they are as rich with meaning as the larger works.
A Feather on the Breath of God
Inspired by the words of Hildegard of Bingen.
“Listen; there was once a king on his throne anointed with great honour. He sent forth his dove into the world, which dropped the tiniest feather from its wing. The king raised the feather, blew on it, and commanded it to fly. The feather flew, not because of anything in itself, but because the air bore it along.
Thus am I: but a feather on the breath of God.”
~ Hildegard of Bingen (1098 – 1179)
Beeswax, polycrystalline wax, ash on board 6”x12”
A Feather on the Breath of God
Yesterday's NEWS
When we walk through life, we have boxes of yesterday’s news. What we did decades before. The old news is part of our story, yet it is yesterday’s notes, and we need to release new headlines and express language and effort that marks today with the goodness of God in the land of the living.
Polycrystalline wax, ash, gold powder, an old sunflower painting on board 12”x12”
POLKA Dot Door
There will always be another door. The coloured dots on this ash panel represent the myriad expressions of love and life we experience each year.
Too many for words sometimes, or confidential work that cannot be expressed publicly – yet the joie de vivre they bring to our lives is memorable and palpable.
Polycrystalline wax, business ash, pigment powder on board 7”x7”
POLKA Dot Door
Multitudes
I saw multitudes of people streaming towards the Light of His love. My friend Kristine Dandavino shared that she saw humility. That, “we need to be humble in our journey to help others and ourselves”.
May we be wise enough to walk softly with each other.
Acrylic on Canvas 12”x6”
Multitudes
Two
This image reminded me of two angels or humans walking together as Divine messengers.
Acrylic 10”x 8” on 1” canvas
POLKA Dot Door
Trees as Sails
I walk in forests through paint. This abstraction of a forest reminds me of sailboats in a harbour.
Acrylic 12”x12”x 5/8” MDF board
Trees as Sails
NEST on a Branch
A friend recently reminded me that we need to get out on the fragile branches, to taste the fruit of life.
How be, we abide there, like the birds who neither toil or spin…
8”x 8”
Acrylic on Canvas Gallery Depth
on a Branch
NEST of Three
Nests remind me to nurture myself and others. That nurture must be part of our nature.
This one started in a Butterfly Session and became my companion for a couple of solitary evenings of paint. May they encourage nurture in you
Acrylic on Canvas Gallery Depth
16”x12”
NEST of Three
Paintings that Have a Home
Included are images of artwork that found a new custodian of its care in a home or office..
Hopefully, they inspire you,
Triple Ash Source
Expeditions require understanding about the terrain one wishes to travel upon or through.
Exploring Terra Firma through fire, ash, grinding, stabilizers, and finished artworks amidst historic fugitives and blessings of time past released and set in time present.
This work is an ash experiment with Lexan as the substrate, pouring medium, plastic hard tubing, non-aerosol fixatives, encaustic, and powdered pigments assembled using molds and a heat gun
Ash, encaustic, powdered pigment on Lexan 12”x30”x1.5”
D O M E S T I C
I would consider this a domestic ‘ ashet ’. A blessing from the reality and limitations of thirdparty assistance in the journey through domestic abuse.
This artwork is an exchange in which I traded my historic “two feet on the ground” reality, for this ethereal velveteen galactic image hearts yearn to touch Beauty through ash Indeed
Ash, pouring medium, fixative, gold leaf, 36” Circle x 1.5”
Catching Ash | The Edge of Grief
When we experience loss, there is fire. A consumptive process that reduces all we were before the raging fire came.
The burn marks show in our being, alongside the beauty of the refined gold of our being, that is now visible to all. Yet the beauty of our lives is not obliterated by fire and ash.
What we may also notice, is that there are pockets of our being where the rim, or residue of ash is caught, and hangs on longer than in other areas. These fragments of the journey remind us of where we have come from.
20”x48”x1.5”
Fire, Ash, Gold Leaf on Wood Panel
Catching Ash The Edge of Grief
C O N T E X T
I first titled this piece The Bully in My Backyard, yet that title gave it too much power. Conquering what has conquered you is to place it appropriately amid boundaries wherein one can continue to enjoy looking at history.
Recognizing that what historically consumed every moment, thought, and breath will no longer be front and center in my story was key to moving beyond the limitations that marked my form for a season.
It is not gone – it is re-contextualized into a composition I enjoy
Recycled rubber metal fabrication template, crushed lavender, crushed charcoal, ground Turks and Caicos sea fan, gold leaf 30”x48”x1.5”
CONTEXT - Unfinished
H O M E
Created ‘live’ at City WIDE 2023
“Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself – where she may have her young – a place near your altar, LORD Almighty, my King, and my God”
Psalm 84:3
This text reminds me of what H O M E is, and where H O M E is. A nest, a place of woven protection, a cradle of sorts, that is personal to each of us.
This ancient text describes it as a nest for her ‘self’. A place for the ‘self’ to rest, and release life from within. A place near, or in proximity to the altar of God where His presence is, where His rest is, where His peace is, and where His truth lives.
HOME – the place to abide in a safety that is personalized for each of us, as we release life into the planet
Acrylic on Wood Circle Panel 48”x1”
H O M E
Gilded Form
This paintng of a mask, pulled apart, laid flat, and painted gold before it was painted on a canvass is a symbol of exponential creativity and care.
May we continue to choose life for the common good and the benefit of all. May peace be a hallmark in our lives and may blessing be our trademark. May we continue to regard one another with dignity and respect when varying opinions and applications of personal conviction abound.
May innovation and applied creativity that develop life-giving solutions abound. Even if some of us choose not to avail ourselves of what others create.
Acrylic on Canvas
Gilded Form
Beauty for me is found in the heart, rather than a form.
Heart change, and what it takes to shape or reshape a heart – that is my pursuit,
Allowing myself to be touched by those around me.
Seeking the hand of God to shape and transform me.
Loving God, loving you – that is my goal. That is my superpower, and this is my journey into beauty from ashes – may we meet here.
