Margaret Atwood’s book, “The Penelopiad” was the inspiration for these 40” x 30” mixed media pieces on paper. Penelope, wife of Odysseus, was left behind when her new husband sailed off to adventure the world. She found herself living in a strange land with no friends or family. As the story goes, she spent most of her time weaving a shroud, a strategy for keeping the many suitors away from the castle’s doorstep. She unraveled her work every night because, had she finished the weaving, she'd have had to marry one of the many suitors, who were there because they believed Odysseus would never return, and they wanted her (his) money.

Penelope’s situation, finding herself isolated in a relationship, resonates with me and, I’m sure, with many women.

My journey begins when wet paper pulp is applied to a wet pulp paper base sheet. The material is unpredictable and hard to control. I layer colored pulp onto the white sheet of pulp underneath.The painting becomes an object of sorts when the layers of paper fuse into each other.

The Mound work refers to dark and challenging times.