Dorothy Doesn't Live Here Anymore Drawing

My sources of inspiration have taken many paths over the years. I grew up in Chicago above my grandmother’s tavern and developed a childhood fascination with 1950’s sci-fi comics, movie posters, carnivals and a local amusement park. A dance hall was located directly across the street and I found much joy watching couples entering and exiting during the night. Nearby, nature presented itself in the form of a three-story waterfall commercial park. A creation of the Olson Rug Company, the faux nature setting also included holiday lights and lawn ornament animals. Much later, I became intrigued with and influenced by the art of Edvard Munch, Joseph Cornell, M.C Escher and the work of the Chicago Imagist aka “The Hairy Who”. The foundation was laid and since then, I have been weaving conflict, dreams and humor along with my personal perceptions of contemporary life into my artwork. Portrayed within each black and white work is a mythical landscape of mountains, waterways and woodlands populated by a tribe of innocent featureless beings. The inhabitants are often engaged, observing and participating in a variety of everyday activities. In my most recent series and as events unfold and the series evolves, the tribe’s future is at risk when a celestial armada and its invading forces conspire to colonize their land. Once the invaders land and gain a foothold, they attempt to entice the unsuspecting natives with gifts of digital devices and services hoping to sway their trust. Perplexed and confused, the natives are only able to observe and consternation occurs, portending everlasting change. All takes place under a moonlit sky with meteorite fragments showering the environment.