American Chaos

My activism as an artist began with the series, “Crisis: Mother Earth,” about global warming. Horrific news reports about shootings, the attack on the capital and laws limiting both voting rights and women’s rights have driven me to paint a new series, “American Chaos.” While news reports gave me subject matter, a concern for my grandchildren and all humans gave me the courage to stand up and speak out.

I was raised to believe that being treated with dignity and justice, and living in a safe, democratic country were, in fact, basic rights. Constant news reports of attacks on people and on our democracy challenge that idea. Mass shootings, killings of people of color or people who are considered different, restricted voting rights, a biased Supreme Court, fake news and the challenge to our very democratic process, including the suggestion that our president should have absolute control, are huge problems. I have addressed many of these issues in “American Chaos.”

My series are meant as a wake-up call. We hear about these problems every day, so often, in fact, that we may begin to accept them as normal, but nothing is normal about a mass school shooting or any of the other problems. My paintings are oil on canvas. To attract attention, and to give hope that we can be better, I have incorporated bright colors and fantasy. I wish to stop my audience long enough to get them to think about the problems—how they may affect them, their families and their community, and how they as individuals could contribute to a solution.

Democracy and justice for all are my battle cries, but without a habitable Earth nothing else matters. All three are important. Any action, I believe, should include voting for people whom you believe will help solve the problems and calm the chaos. Access to justice, equality, safety and a stable government should be an ordinary notion.