Art and Feelings

I've come to recognize that my state of mind or reactions to events are expressed in this Lake Series. The previous posting of Lake #22 reflected my feeling about the horrendous tragedy in Virginia. Previous to that event we had a freezing cold rainy spell for more than a week. All tender new leaves plus blossoms and buds were frozen.

This Maple tree is in the courtyard outside my studio. Most of March was so beautiful and warm. Leaves popped out earlier than usual and the tree looked like this before three nights of below freezing temperatures.

I felt sad about losing all the new growth on so many trees and shrubs let alone the blossoms being nipped in the bud. I could hardly bear to look outside, so I retreated inside myself and created a series of light and bright Lake pieces.

Lake #18Lake #19Lake #20

Lake #21

My state of mind was different from the last time I felt depressed about being sick. At that time I made three stormy lake quilts (#'s 14, 15, and 16) because I just couldn't make sunny days. Then, I was expressing how my whole being (emotional and physical) felt. My reaction to the frozen and shriveled world was to escape and make a bright sunny one. In fact, these four almost glare they're so bright.

To view all the lakes in this series, plus the contruction photos for #'s 18 thru 22, click on the Lake Series Album in the sidebar.