Quagmire: A complex, hazardous, or difficult situation that is incredibly hard to escape.
Crazy-Maker: A person who engages in psychological manipulation or irrational behaviors that intentionally or unintentionally confuse you, make you question your own sanity, and leave you feeling constantly off-balance.
Calm: A state of mental and physical tranquility free from agitation, anxiety, or disturbance.
Our politics these days, to me, are a quagmire caused by crazy-makers. In addition to the daily news, I was recently pulled into a quagmire in my community. I was in great need of regaining calm back in my life.
In this series, you will find two halves. Ask yourself which half represents the quagmire and which half is the calm. For me, the act of drawing returns me to a calm state. My hope for you, the viewer, is to also gain a sense of calm.
“Entangled” The start of my quagmire was getting pulled in to a murky, muddy situation (left side) while trying to remain calm (right side). This is 36x24 inches, made with light-fast (non-fading) pigmented pencils on museum board, mounted on museum-grade panel.
“Implosion” The left side (above) represents when my quagmire blew up. The right side is my own personal attempt to make sense of it all. This is 36x24 inches, made with light-fast (non-fading) pigmented pencils on museum board, mounted on museum-grade panel.
“Island” When I was pulled into a quagmire in my community I felt like an island, wondering “Am I the only one who sees the problems here?” This is 36x24 inches, made with light-fast (non-fading) pigmented pencils on museum board, mounted on museum-grade panel.
“Refresh” The act of drawing returns me to a calm state - much needed after being pulled in to a quagmire. The left side (above) represents putting the pieces back together. The right side represents returning to calm. This is 36x24 inches, made with light-fast (non-fading) pigmented pencils on museum board, mounted on museum-grade panel.