"But there's a world beyond what we can see and touch, and that world lives by its own laws. What may be impossible in this very ordinary world is very possible there, and sometimes the boundaries between the two disappear, and then who can say what is possible and impossible."
David Eddings
While I have made the idea of generational transition a focus of my art, we have all been marking the exit and entrance of a generation or two or three. It only took having my own children to come to the quick realization that it only takes two generations to pass before the memory of family members fade. As much as I appreciate and honor the contributions of past generations, I realize that legacy can be a two edged sword as I've been reflecting on my own generations influence on current culture. History is the final arbiter of a generation's impact for good or ill and I am afraid history may judge us harshly.
I think of my children and grandchildren and the young people I have taught over the last 20 years. Except for lessons learned, the past will not offer solutions for the problems that these young ones will face. It is perhaps time for the previous generations see themselves in a new role, to step aside, to change the long held power structures and to provide all means of support to those who seek to solve the myriad of social and environmental problems. The current breakneck pace of change can only lead to something new. These paintings, contain a visible traditional underpainting mostly covered by painterly layers reflecting one generation's willingness to relinquish the role of power to next generation. The energetic fluid ink marks reflect change and something new to take its place. A reflection of the transition from one paradigm to the next. As for the younger and future generations this is their world that is coming and up to their imaginings to create a fair, just and compassionate society. The wisdom of the older generation will be in knowing that its their turn to listen and to stand beside.