Images of Home

Hey Lovely,

We’re rounding out this heART❤️SCHOOL module with photos on the theme of Home. I mentioned in the related podcast and blog that houses have figured large in my life and especially in my artwork, often representing “me” in self-portraits. I’m sharing a dozen of them below.

I included the year, size, and materials of each piece, but decided not to narrate any more about what was going on at the time. Honestly, I did not recognize these as self-portraits until halfway through the process of making them, and sometimes not until long after they were finished.

2005; VCR parts and other found objects, collage, and acrylic on picture frame backing board; 18” x 24”

2005; acrylic on primed hardcover book page; 8” x 11” (a study for the next one)

2006; acrylic on canvas; 24” x 30”

2006; acrylic on canvas; 60” x 36”

2006; acrylic on canvas; 24” x 30”

2007; acrylic and molding paste on canvas; 24” x 48”

2007; collage, found objects, and acrylic on salvaged board; 6” x 16”

2008; fabric and found objects on denim jeans leg; 9” x 30”

2010; collage and acrylic on canvas; 36” x 60”

2011; mixed-media collage on board; 5” x 7”

2011; acrylic and packing material on canvas; 28” x 22”

2014; collage and acrylic on canvas; 18” x 36”

I see now, looking at the collection, that there is an intact soul inside each house — a sense of calm. That’s true for each of us. Our challenge is to keep remembering how to find our way “home” to our deepest, stillest, most peaceful Selves. 💫

I’m Curious

What object or imagery would you use to represent yourself in a painting, poem, or dance?
Are there shapes that you like to doodle or find in nature or create with your body? These can help tether you when you’re feeling adrift. Simple, but effective.

Finding “Home” through Doodling

When I don’t have time to paint a 36” x 60” canvas, I use doodling to help me stay grounded. If you’d like a lightly-guided opportunity to gather and make shapes on paper 🙋🏽‍♀️📝, you’re in luck! Our next meet-up of the Doodling Lunatics 🖍🌙 is on Friday, March 4th at 5:30 pm Pacific time, and you are cordially invited to Zoom in. Read more about it here, then mark your calendar. 🤓 Those who attended our inaugural session found it to be relaxing and inspiring. 🙌🏽🥰✨

Until then, I wish for you a safe, healthy, contented Home life, both in your physical dwelling and in the depths of your inner world.

Be my Valentine,
Pam

P.S. Some of the images above are available in my shop as art prints or (more likely) greeting cards. I have this trick of using details from paintings to create prints (like this and this) and cards. The painting from 2010 was the source of many such details! You can peruse my online shop here. Greeting cards, specifically, are here.