[SOLD]
Hand-ground Sumi Ink on 400 lb cold press cotton rag watercolor paper
27 x 39 x 1 1/4
- Second photo included is of the piece on exhibit in the lobby of Hotel Kansas City. "Flying in the Dark exhibition is up from February 1st-February 28th 2025
About the creation process:
Hand-grinding sumi ink on my ink stone is very meditative and an ancient practice. In sumi-e (meaning ink painting,) you only get ONE shot. So this process was full of many many trials. Whatever the hand, body, mind, spirit guides you to do, you do. Since there's no way to make changes to ink on paper because of its permanence, it's a necessity to get into a meditative mindset before beginning. It' a pretty cool practice that artists have been using for thousands of years and it's an honor to take part in this practice. Part of the spirit of arts who came before me and those who will come long after I've been gone.
Back story:
The bat was the animal spirit guide that sparked the inspiration behind the name of my collection Flying in the Dark.
Two weeks after my left ovary was removed, ironically on the same day I met with the oncologist to find out that the ovary and cyst removed and biopsied came back CANCER FREE, I was on a walk with my mom. I couldn't drive or lift anything for six weeks, so to get some fresh air my mom was walking my dog while I gently walked alongside. When we got back to the house, a bat was hanging by one foot next to my front door...in broad daylight...
The bat stayed all day and night I think to bring me a message. The Hebrew word for "bat" is atalef. In the Bible, the word "atalleph" is used to describe bats, and it implies "flying in the dark." Bats are comfortable in the dark, they symbolize death in many cultures. But death doesn't have to be scary. Because after death comes rebirth.
You, too, can avoid obstacles while flying in the dark.
