To American Indians, the circle represents life, mother earth, the universe...quite simply, "The Circle of Life".  The Circle of Life is also known as the Medicine Wheel.  It represents a pathway to truth, piece and harmony.  The circle is never ending.  We each reside at a different continuum at different times during our life journey, but at some point, we will experience each spoke of the wheel.  That combination of experiences makes us whole and our spirit strong.

Note on use of the Sacred Colors (red, blue, black and white) in my work...  Unless the subject of my work is a truly "traditional" Medicine Wheel and/or other traditional subject matter, I do not always follow the Ancient Meaning of the colors.  For example, I use may use blue for peace, the sky, water, movement.  I may use red for vitality, courage, confidence.  You get the idea.  I take a New Age Perspective.  See that section under the Symbols and Meanings tab for additional information.

Webster defines a “ladder” as a structure providing a means of climbing up or down; a means of rising, as to eminence; a graded series of stages or levels; a hierarchical order.

In explaining the use of ladders in my work, I can draw from the above definitions, but also, I use loosely defined symbols of ladders to snow direction, movement, a pathway, a journey.  I use ladders to represent life lessons, the division between life cycles, life and death, the journey from lack of knowledge to knowledge, etc.  Often times the meaning is determined by the viewer, based on where they stand along their personal journey.

Lines in my work are often representative of a “horizon”, or dividing line.  Lines may represent the division of earth and sky, knowing and not knowing, life and death, the cycles of life, the seasons – or some combination of all.

The dictionary offers two definitions of “horizon” that are applicable to my work.  1) The line or circle that forms the apparent boundary between earth and sky.  2) The range of one's knowledge, experience and interest.  The field of archaeology offers an additional definition.  Specifically, a period during which the influence of a particular culture spreads rapidly over a defined area.

The horizon is a division.  Sometimes welcome…sometimes not.  Sometimes simple…sometimes complex.  But, in every case important and powerful in its own right.

Mixed Media on board with pages from antique dictionaries.  Carved patterns with acrylic and numerous acrylic washes.

Mixed Media
4' x 2'
Mounted on 2" black frame
SOLD

Mixed media on board with pages from antique dictionary.  Carved patterns with numerous acrylic washes.  Photo transfer on glass.  Native American symbols along with words and images on dictionary pages are used to link the background and photo transfer to create the meaning and spirit of the piece.

Mixed Media
12" X 12"
SOLD

Mixed media on board with pages from antique dictionary.  Carved patterns with numerous acrylic washes.  Photo transfer on glass.  Native American symbols along with words and images on dictionary pages are used to link the background and photo transfer to create the meaning and spirit of the piece.

Mixed Media
12" X 12"
SOLD

Mixed media on board with pages from antique dictionary.  Carved patterns with numerous acrylic washes.  Photo transfer on glass.  Native American symbols along with words and images on dictionary pages are used to link the background and photo transfer to create the meaning and spirit of the piece.

Mixed Media
12" X 12"
SOLD

Mixed media on board with pages from antique dictionary.  Carved patterns with numerous acrylic washes.  Photo transfer on glass.  Native American symbols along with words and images on dictionary pages are used to link the background and photo transfer to create the meaning and spirit of the piece.

Mixed Media
12" X 12"
$110.00 (no frame needed)

Mixed Media.  Plaster, putty, acrylic and sawdust on wood.  Carved patterns with acrylic and numerous acrylic washes.

Mixed Media
2' X 4'
Mounted on 2" black frame
$550.00

Mixed Media on board with pages from antique dictionaries.  Carved patterns with acrylic and numerous acrylic washes.

Mixed Media
2' x 2'
Mounted on 2" black frame
$250.00