Where the Willows Weep

This work was made over 2022-2023 through what I consider one of the longest years of my life. With the agony of losing my little brother to cancer and also having to undergo two major spinal surgeries, I had lots of time to reflect on my life, my childhood and my present. The images are made in the historical Stewart Park in Ithaca, NY near where I live.  The park is guarded by an arm of billowing and commanding sentinels (otherwise known as weeping willows) who hug the shoreline of the park. I have made images that visually allude to the park's historical perspective, while reflecting on my own life through the scrim of memory.  

Since childhood, I have had a special relationship with weeping willows consider them protectors.  When times were bad as a child and early adolescent, I would go to the one near my house to hide under its long and graceful arms to write songs and poetry.

The images in "Where the Willows Weep" hold something nearly diaristic or confessional about my life and are a reflection of my journey and healing during this difficult year. As I made them, I felt these images deep in my skin, simultaneously as a time of loss, hope and healing.  In them I found solace, serenity, playfulness and memory of my own childhood as well as the comfort this park brings to me every time I walk the paths that surround it. 

These images are 21"x28" printed with Pigmented Inks on Yupo paper that has been hand coated in Metallic tones ranging from Silver, Bronze, Pearl, and raw pigment powders added to metallic coatings.