Thursday, February 21, 2008

VEE GATES (Wie geht's)







This work is 25x35 inches. It's titled VEE GATES (Wie geht's). It's a play on German for How are you doing? and also VEE (my first initial) and the concept of GATES which has been the subject of a couple sermons I've heard recently. Gates mark out the way, welcoming all, excluding none. Inviting, not guarding. And the idea of being OPEN! Lots of wonderful Biblical references and metaphors to gates. "Lift up your heads, oh, ye Gates and be ye lifted up ye everlasting doors and the King of Glory shall come in."

I worked on top of another painting called Light of the World. Some of that painting is still there, but it's layered with photocopies, tissue paper and words collaged onto the surface, stamps, stencil, brush strokes, permanent marker... pictures of family, gates, keys, and puzzle pieces. I think it's finished. It's a self-portrait. Fire and Water is having a display of self portraits by women artists during the month of March. I'll hang it there and then I can decide if it's finished.

2 comments:

Nellie's Needles said...

What a wonderful and interesting way to present a self-portrait. I love it.

Fire and Water Showroom said...

I love all of the words and images you have merged into this painting. I have been reading about Sister Corita Kent in preparation for our Women Who Inspire Us month at Fire and Water. We are who we are as artists because of the women artists who inspire us. This speaks to the larger issue of "We are who we are because of the people who inspire us". I can't wait to see Vee Gates in Fire and Water! Kathleen Mooney