My paintings are an abstract expression of complex emotions which may arise at the time of painting, but also emotions which can have deep roots but go unidentified, yet exerting powerful influence, on our sense of who we are, our relationships, our happiness, our hope.   My process includes meditation and requires complete presence in the moment. The process feels a bit like a surrender; the thinking brain receding and allowing the internal self to speak directly. It often feels like the emotions that arise are painting themselves. 
The paintings usually build in many layers that are partially removed, painted over, scraped away and excavated; the process has the sense of mining for truths, reflecting the way our emotional selves are known and then unknown, covered over, forgotten. 
When I emerge from that state I can be both painter and viewer. The thinking self can then adjust to clarify, but the honest spontaneous expression is the purpose of the painting and always remains.    An honest expression of emotion includes joy and ease as well as difficult emotions. In this way my paintings as a whole can reflect a mix that is true to the breadth of internal experience.     While I have always painted, I have also had a calling in the area of victims’ rights and have spent a career as a prosecutor. There are times that I am aware of powerful emotions that I believe may include the realities of victims known over these many years.    During the period of quarantine, I came to fully understand the power of abstract expression that reflects internal experience. I took frequently viewed the free virtual access many museums offered, and I could feel the connections to the art and artist, to others connecting to the art in the same way, and to truths in human experience. I very much hope that the viewer will feel that place of connection with my paintings as well.    Lastly, I want to note that my husband was also a career prosecutor and ran the child abuse unit in our county for 30 years. He spearheaded the construction and implementation of the Child Advocacy Center in our county, and now works for a nonprofit, the NJ Chapter of the National Children’s Alliance, which supports the development and operation of child advocacy centers in our state. These centers are essential to meet the needs of a child victims and their families, including law enforcement and social service needs, and medical and mental health services, all focused in one child-friendly place. I will be proud to donate a portion of each sale to the National Children’s Alliance.