Nightmares and Dreamscapes

Wishbone 12 X 18 mixed media on cardboard for Inspiration Avenue, Creative Therapy, Three Muses, and Theme Thursday.

I'd forgotten how much I love collage. I've been so busy painting big abstract pieces that I'd forgotten how I love to tell a story by layering memories and dreams and then hiding them with paint. This little picture tells the story of childhood with all its magic and fears. If you look closely at the background, you might be able to see the angels and butterflies and flowers surrounding the child. And, if you look even closer, you might also be able to see the sea monster and the spiders lurking in the shadows. Can you tell what her wings are made of? That's right: bones. The pelvic girdle, in fact. This image came from an old anatomy textbook I found at a flea market. I also used a piece of lace, a ballet program, roses from vintage Valentines, pages from a book of fairy tales, and an old first grade reader. Childhood is like this; it's fantasies and nightmares, imaginary playmates and the monster under the bed. Childhood is equal parts wonder and terror.

In the undercoat of shadows and symbols, this child has found a sanctuary. Here in the dark dreamscape of her world, she and her companions have found comfort in each other, suggesting that, for all of us, in the midst of threats and uncertainty, there is redemption and hope.