Boundaries Were Necessary

Boundaries were necessary to help protect me from negative family relationships. The grid pattern in this painting represents the "fence" I used as a protective barrier to lessen my anxiety and self-doubt.

Brightness, Boundaries and Time

I always try to see the bright side of life, even when it doesn’t feel bright. Setting boundaries has helped protect me from negativity, though maintaining boundaries can be very difficult. Healing from the difficult times happens over time.

Mending the World (and Myself)

In Judaism, the words Tikkun Olam are typically translated as “repair the world,” or “mend the world.”

As time continues after the loss of my mother, and milestones come and go, I find myself feeling stronger because I am not anticipating the next uncomfortable situation anymore. I am mending myself by sharing my story and listening to others share theirs so they can also mend.

40th Wedding Anniversary

My husband and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in June 2022. I am extremely happy and proud that he has been my partner and best friend for well over 47 years.

I didn't have good being married role models growing up. My parents split up after 6 years (when I was 8). My mother and her second husband split up after 6 years as well. My mother married a third time when I was in college. My father never remarried.

Before my father died (I was 18 and he was 43) he told me he hoped I would marry someone Jewish, which I did. My father was Orthodox. My husband and I are Jewish but not religious. Had my father lived, I think he would have liked my husband.

Outside/Inside

How someone appears to be while out in the world is not necessarily what they are feeling inside. Someone can be all smiles and appear very happy to those who see them, but they may be feeling physical or emotional pain and suffering inside.

Two Yahrzeits in December

The Yiddish word Yahrzeit means the anniversary of the date when someone passes away.

Both of my parents died in December. My mother in 2021 and my father in 1975.

Two Yahrzeits in December is a visualization of how my mother’s emotional pain affected me while she was alive, and the sorrow I have for not having much of an opportunity to know my father when he was alive because of my mother's actions.

Boundaries and Fences

Starting with an upcycled hand embroidery, a square construction fence pattern was monoprinted and painted in the center. Handstamped shapes and dots are added embellishments.

Welcome to our Home

During my teenage years and before I married in my mid-twenties, I fantasized about creating a home that was filled with art and was welcoming to all who entered. Welcome to Our Home is about creating that home, which is the opposite of the home I grew up in.

Home Is...

Home Is… is a companion piece to Welcome to Our Home, about creating a home full of love (and art), which is the opposite of the home I grew up in.