Places

This painting is called "There Are Two Places For Me". It shows the two opposing worlds I seek out - the beautiful, tumultuous, seductive and overwhelming world and the sheltered and safe world.

In the forest the trees push and crash in a constant struggle for light and life. Flowers overwhelm me with their impossible beauty and complexity. Foxgloves even change the rate of heart beats and used to be used in medicine. They can kill you if you eat them. Or they can save your life. Everything lives so intensly and inevitably dies. It breaks my heart but I can't resist.

In the cool passage between rock walls, far below the forest, there is shelter and peace. I seek this out in my life too. Solitude in my studio. A cosy evening by the fire with my children. The closeness of those I love. A hand held.


I feel like a bear these days. Strong. Occasionally beautiful (though this bear shows her years and is a little world wary.) I feel rare like this Kermode bear. And like her, I know that joy can be fleeting. My gallbladder could end up in an Asian pharmacy any day now.



This painting measures 4'x3' and is oil on canvas.