Visual Anthropology Narratives

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Protest Singers.

Encaustic wax on wood panel, 24x18

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The Black Lives Matter movement has many of us listening to the soundtracks of the 1960’s and 1970’s and realizing that too little has changed.

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Bob Marley gave us Redemption Song, Get Up, Stand Up, and One Love. Dylan wrote two dozen protest songs from 1961-1964, including Blowin in the Wind, Emmett Till, and The Times They Are a-Changing. Nina Simone's civil rights anthems, including To Be Young, Gifted and Black and  Mississippi Goddamn, were banned in many cities.

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Come senators, congressmen

Please heed the call …

The battle outside ragin'

Will soon shake your windows

And rattle your walls…

From The Times They Are a-Changin’ released by Bob Dylan.1964.

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These words....still ring true today.

Native Women Warriors.   Encaustic wax on wood panel, 16x20

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These portraits honor 19th century indigenous women who fought alongside men to protect their people,and they became leaders in their tribes. Lozen was an Apache who learned the ways of the warriors and joined forces with Geronimo. Running Eagle was a highly respected member of the Piegan Tribe of the Blackfeet Nation, and Buffalo Calf Woman, Cheyenne, was known for knocking Custer off his horse at the Battle of Bighorn.  These are stories that need to be told. They embody American resilience. 

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“Zoom Babies” is about families coping with the pandemic. I wanted to capture this extraordinary period of time, so I asked friends to send me their family zoom videos. Each painting is a screen shot from actual video footage. These faces will grace a giant zoom screen installation that will be exhibited in Nashville July 2021.It was an honor to see through the eyes of these children and to hear their families' stories.

Acrylic, 12x12 each

The Healers.   Encaustic wax on wood panel, 16x16

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This series portrays the blending of eastern and western medicine. Chinese, Ayurveda, and spiritual healing have all played a role in my life alongside traditional western medicine. 

"iNyanga," "PanchaKarma,"  "Chi," and "The Healer." 

Irish Eyes.   Watercolor, pen & ink on paper, 9x12.

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No one's a stranger in Ireland. I loved how friendly everyone in Ireland is, and that 'there's a smile in their eyes.' Images inspired by photos from Irish street photographer Tim Bingham @public_lens.  

Into the Wilderness.   Photo encaustic on wood, 9x12.

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Digitally-altered images embellished with encaustic paint. These are in response to the COVID 19 pandemic.  

Vetted Souls.   Encaustic and ink on wood, 8x8.

From photos by Leroy Skalstad, a formerly homeless Vietnam veteran.

"I believe most folks don't realize how complex homelessness is. I was someone affected by my military experience as I waited for a decision from the Veterans Administration. Some are folks and families were living paycheck to paycheck. Some are affected by their substance abuse." - Leroy Skalstad.

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