Every Flower is a Mandala

My work is made primarily of repurposed materials, and found objects. The challenge and fun of finding or receiving random bits of cast off material, living with it, contemplating on what it might become, perhaps even for years... is all part of my process. I’m in no rush. And Yet, when the ideas hit me, then the rush is on... I can not wait to begin composing, creating., painting. And so it is with my Large Flower/Mandala series.

I've hung on to stacks and stacks of these strange wood shapes for a bunch of years waiting for something to emerge from them. When it happens it's such a great feeling and I can hardly sleep wanting to see it through! I was sitting on stacks and stacks of random wood shapes given to me by my uncle in law, Paul, who'd save things for me from his travels collecting wood for his kindling project. I would play with the shapes, juxtapozing them, stacking them, cutting, fitting, and eureka! Large scale Flower Mandalas emerged!

What I love about these is multi layered. It’s not only the form, but the color, texture, symmetry, repetition, multiples, and movement.
Flowers have long been a subject in art. From Warhol, to Monet. From O’keefe to Van Gogh. My flowers hint at this rich history. Yet depart on a tangent of their own. They are big, bold, roughly constructed (though solidly built) statement pieces. Flowers are at once fragile and strong. They are universal, and life affirming. I look to them in nature. The Golden Mean. they hold secrets of the cosmos. I adore them!