My grandmother, mother and aunts recited daily rosaries into their 80’s and 90’s.  Their hands worked a well-worn path from the crucifix to the first few beads, around the loop and back. They prayed, paced and rocked.  They prayed while vacuuming, making sauce, changing diapers. Prayers, were in their DNA. 
 
I started tearing arrows from  old paintings and to-do lists during the 2015 uprisings in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody.  In heartbreak, I was reminded of the women with their rosaries and my own childhood laps around the beads.  For me, tearing arrows has become a form of prayer.  I continue to make them.  There will always be people and places needing love.

The arrow paintings and installations represent emphasis, attention, inner wisdom, a choice and the power of individuals and groups to create change together. 

Three video interviews are part of the“Motivation on Monday” series by Myles Banks of Just Stunt Productions. 

 

  • Distilled (1/2or smaller)
    Distilled (1/2"or smaller)

    Distilled, begun several years ago, is an ongoing group of tiny (1/2"or smaller) hand-torn arrows.  Like the larger arrows, they are prayers for people and places.  These arrows are harder to tear because of their size so I spend more time with them.  Small can be powerful.

    acrylic, marker, colored pencil, graphite on paper

  • Tearing Prayers
    Tearing Prayers
    My grandmother, mother and aunts recited daily rosaries into their 80’s and 90’s. Their hands worked a well-worn path from the crucifix to the first few beads, around the loop and back. They prayed, paced and rocked. They prayed while vacuuming, making sauce, changing diapers. Prayers, were in their DNA. I started tearing arrows from old paintings and to-do lists during the 2015 uprisings in Baltimore following the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody. In heartbreak, I was reminded of the women with their rosaries and my own childhood laps around the beads. For me, tearing arrows has become a form of prayer. I continue to make them. There will always be people and places needing love.
  • Urgent
    Urgent
    Urgent calls attention to the objects we use and rituals we perform on a daily basis. 10“x8”x1.5”, acrylic, ink and torn-up old paintings on panel
  • Surround Sound
    Surround Sound
    Surround Sound This painting was created following the death of a family member. In the moment of passing senses are elevated, time stands still. 22“x10”x1.5”, acrylic, ink, colored pencil, marker, graphite, and torn old paintings and to-do lists on paper mounted on wooden panel
  • Wedge
    Wedge
    Wedge is the potential power of a group when they move in one direction. acrylic, ink, colored pencil, graphite, marker, old torn paintings, to-do lists and arrows on panel 12"x12"x1.5"
  • Ear to the Ground
    Ear to the Ground
    Ear to the Ground This piece focuses on individual choices made that together form a multitude and a less than straight path. acrylic, ink, colored pencil, graphite, hand torn arrows, plastic sleeves, clothes pins and line size variable
  • Jarred Loose
    Jarred Loose
    7“x62”x24”, acrylic, ink, colored pencil, graphite, marker, hand-torn arrows from old paintings and to-do lists, glass jars
  • Untitled Flag exhibit interview with Myles Banks
  • Reframing Your Mind
    This video, part of a series called “Motivation on Monday”, was filmed and edited by Myles Banks of Just Stunt Productions. Being willing to have conversations is another possibilty for coming together.
  • Your Thoughts Are Powerful
    This video, part of a series called “Motivation on Monday”, was filmed and edited by Myles Banks of Just Stunt Productions. Being willing to have conversations is another possibility for coming together.
  • Distilled (1/2or smaller)
  • Tearing Prayers
  • Urgent
  • Surround Sound
  • Wedge
  • Ear to the Ground
  • Jarred Loose