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Word of the Day 7/5/25 from Dictionary.com. “Unexpected repercussion”. From AI - “It’s a delayed reaction or repercussion, something that wasn’t anticipated when the initial event concluded”.
Five moves in six years and storing furniture and other items for thirteen years I didn’t have the bandwidth to sort through, are definite afterclaps from leaving the marriage. Finally, piece by piece, I’m now letting go of what no longer serves me.
Again, an antidote to the current state of affairs - HOA, America, and worldwide.
What fun when a couple of art friends came over for a lesson in working with glassine, a very thin glossy and translucent paper made from wood pulp. In this rapid creation, I used permanent markers along with the squirting of acrylic ink. Turbo seemed fitting for the movement.
On Memorial Day, as I was scanning The Daily episodes, one from the previous day popped up. Normally I don’t listen to the weekend versions but this one piqued my interest - “Modern Love” - Why Boys and Men Are floundering. Therapist Terry Real was interviewed and explained why. Much of what he said corroborated my assessment from being in an unhealthy marital relationship that, unfortunately, ended in a discordant divorce. Listening to him, I felt happy to gain greater clarity.
He mentioned he worked with a couple who had seen 8 therapists and not one of them supported the woman and confronted the man. Well, that was my story too! A plethora who could not help because they could not tell truth to power under the patriarchy. He offered important information like it’s easy to say a woman suffers from depression while the men do not. But, the men are drinking. He maintains that “substance abuse, rage, affairs are fueled by depression and underneath depression is trauma.” (Similar to Dr. Gabor Mate’s rhetoric.) He added, “the consequence of a disconnected boy is a disconnected man.” Interestingly, in grappling with husband’s punitive behavior during the divorce, I created this work in 2014 using acrylic pens, oil crayon, and blue duct tape posing this primary question. My work still seems to be relevant.
I find they are antidotes to counteract the mayhem in our country and current dangerous track. Invaluable whether stimulating and energy-boosting or calm and soothing.
While going through my treacherous divorce, I created this work using permanent markers on rice paper. I repeatedly wrote the subject words so strongly that they bled onto the back side, creating a more dynamic effect. Unfortunately, there are similarities in the divorce and the state of our country now governed by sexists, racists, distorted patriarchy, corruption, injustice, and a broken legal system.
I experienced many inundated moments riddled with fear, wondering if the multi-year disentanglement would destroy me. (Surely, a corroboration of the “high-octane relationship”). Yet, in the midst, discovering my artistry fueled my passion for justice. Creating art was both medicine and an anchor. Same for my beautiful home, plethora of wellness practices, and supportive team. Victorious was I in transcending the oppression, leaving the relationship, and reclaiming freedom and autonomy. Plus, I learned I am a highly resilient, courageous being, and that courage is taking steps in spite of and with the fear. And, to be clear, I felt ungodly fear each step of the way in leaving my long-term relationship and marriage.
My hope is that the oblivious and ignorant people in this country who either abstained from voting or voted for this authoritative regime will wake up and choose disentanglement and freedom. What we will have to go through in the process remains very concerning and curious.
Thingamabob in the oval office is going for it!
With the Los Angeles wildfires, unfathomable devastation and staggering losses, my heart goes out to everyone involved. I am once again reminded of my artwork - lots of black scribbles from pen accentuated with intense red acrylic ink.
I made an Oops while painting. Squeezing the small bottle of gouache, it slipped out of my hand and fell into the most concentrated section of the colors, making an imprint. Stunned and frozen momentarily, I then said screw it, I’ll just roll with it. So, I rolled the bottle all over the claybord creating a completely different movement and blend of the luscious colors. I gained heightened awareness that integrating an Oops allows for the magic of discovery!
I was perusing my smaller mixed media pads last night and this image from a while ago grabbed my attention. Likely I was feeling powerful intensity when I created it, similar to now with the political climate.
