Rule Makers/Rule Breakers (Zodiac/Ecliptic), 2023

Rule Makers/Rule Breakers was originally displayed at the DIAD Studio and Gallery located in the Front Street Studios, Dayton, on October 6th and October 15th, 2023.

THESE PAINTINGS ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. THEY ARE SEEKING GALLERY REPRESENTATION. IF YOU ARE A GALLERY DIRECTOR AND INTERESTED IN SHOWING THESE, PLEASE CONTACT ME.

Rule Makers/Rule Breakers Artist’s Statement
Throughout our lives we are given various sets of rules to follow. These rules may be enforced by society or personally created. What rules do we make and which ones do we break?

For this series, I wanted to explore a subject matter that I find visually alluring, the Zodiac. There are thirteen panels representing the constellations found in the ecliptic plane of Earth around the Sun. These include the twelve constellations that inspired the zodiac as well as Ophiuchus, the “serpent bearer.”  I researched the “rules” made for the various signs, such as what colors, gemstones, animals, and plants were associated with each one, often exploring how these rules changed in various cultures. Astronomical elements, such as the Helix Nebula, and several planets are also included in the compositions. Then I created a set of rules for the panels: 1) Each piece will feature a female figure with the corresponding constellation superimposed over them, often echoing the shape of their bodies or interacting with them in some way. 2) Each piece will have three circles and a color palette wheel based on the suggested colors for that zodiac sign. 3) Each piece will include one crystal, animal and plant (this rule was broken several times!). 4) The surface will be created by layering washi dots, glitter, and iridescent films with acrylic paint, then combined with abstract paint blobs and brush strokes to emulate the visuals of outer space inspired by nebulas, comets and gases.

My original concept was to represent a dreamy quality with closed eyes, but it shifted into a posture of looking inward. This series is based on the structure of the zodiac constellations, but it is also about my thoughts on being a woman at the mid-point of my life and artistic career. What rules do I make for myself and my creations and which should I break? As the figures emerged, I pondered their appearance and motivations. These women are powerful, remorseful, sensual, thoughtful, creative. Throughout art history, the zodiacs are most often represented by young women and my series began the same way. It became important to shift their ages to include more mature features, especially as I began to experience hot flash symptoms of perimenopause (ironically while working on the Fire Elements: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius). The finished pieces vibrate with color and textures. In person, you can see how the layers hover above each other, a harmonious combination of imagery and a fresh interpretation of the zodiac symbolism.