Sheath Abstractions
Born out of happenstance and the continuing evolution of my creative process Sheath Abstractions is a collection of mixed-media collage works. Each piece is derived from a single source of inspiration, a found royal palm sheath. I began by creating a series of works inspired by the might and grace of what nature creates and ultimately discards, however, my intentions shifted as the works progressed.
Spectacular in dimension, wild and varied in its texture, shape and tones, I photographed this unique object on location in southern Florida. Once back in my studio, I started to explore and experiment with the images. Utilizing both digital and hands-on manipulation, often times incorporating remnants from my cut-out work, these collage works began to tell a story.
A pattern of connections, interactions, and entwinement emerged. Within the woven works, elements of distance, separation and broken connections appeared. These were human connections. I was creating families - generational and chosen; entangled, dependent, broken, close-knit and distanced.
These works are about our might and our grace.
