Having people around you who believe in you and your art is so important. I am not sure how I would feel about creating if I did not have a spouse who believed in what I do. I also have peers and mentors and friends who are wonderful. And my kids are all supportive. I want to give a special shout out to my son-in-law who is an art school alum who has an excellent eye and knows how to give helpful critique. But at the end of the day nobody understands me or my art or the work I make better than my other half/husband/partner for 40+ years Roy. Since we both work at home it is not unusual for me to have him look at something I am working at to see if I am on to something. Sometimes he will say the work is not doing anything for him and walk away to go get his tea. And I have had to learn to not give up on a piece when he says that because often it is just that I am not clear about what it is I want to say or what I am creating. That was certainly the case with the piece below. He initially was not that excited by it but as it developed he began to see the ideas I was trying to get across. I trust his opinion and he is sometimes so much better than I am at using words to explain my art. Most titles are discussed with him and I give him credit for coming up with some of my favorite titles. Sadly the title of this piece is still eluding me and him. I want it to say so much but I also don’t want it to be cliche. It is about how we are all interconnected and the harm done to one is done to everyone. It is about the loss of so many precious Olive Groves and agricultural land…note the olive leaves on the Tallit and the Olive leaves on the Keffiyah. It is about the hooded figure that often represents death and the wrapped bodies. It is about too many things and I can’t seem to find a title for it.
