I grew up on the east coast in old homes lovingly renovated by my single mom. Houses with a sense of mystery, where you never knew what might be hidden under the layers of paint and wallpaper. Rooms that are silent witnesses for all the people and the joys and troubles that make up a home.
Now I am a mother myself, living in a much newer houses that holds my family and our noise and chaos. I am also a doctor and most of my work days are spent in small ugly rooms listening to people share their stories. When I first started doctoring, I focused a lot on what I could teach and tell my patients. As time has passed, I find it’s a lot more about listening. I can’t fix them or their lives but I can witness and I can accompany, and like home I can hold the layers.
Seven years ago we moved to a quirky run down house on the edge of big nature and we created a room entirely devoted to projects. Initially I began to make art for people I love, finding inspiration in music and lyrics, something I wanted to tell them or honor in them. I didn’t consider myself an artist, it felt more comfortable to create personal messages. At this point of time, I have gotten braver and realized that I want to tell a bigger, less personal but still intimate story. Creating art has become how I process what is hard and hold fast to what is beautiful in my family and the world around us.
“The role of the artist is exactly the same as the role of the lover. If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you don’t see.” James Baldwin.
Now I am a mother myself, living in a much newer houses that holds my family and our noise and chaos. I am also a doctor and most of my work days are spent in small ugly rooms listening to people share their stories. When I first started doctoring, I focused a lot on what I could teach and tell my patients. As time has passed, I find it’s a lot more about listening. I can’t fix them or their lives but I can witness and I can accompany, and like home I can hold the layers.
Seven years ago we moved to a quirky run down house on the edge of big nature and we created a room entirely devoted to projects. Initially I began to make art for people I love, finding inspiration in music and lyrics, something I wanted to tell them or honor in them. I didn’t consider myself an artist, it felt more comfortable to create personal messages. At this point of time, I have gotten braver and realized that I want to tell a bigger, less personal but still intimate story. Creating art has become how I process what is hard and hold fast to what is beautiful in my family and the world around us.
“The role of the artist is exactly the same as the role of the lover. If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you don’t see.” James Baldwin.