The Stillness Between Triptych

Artist Statement

“The Stillness Between” grew out of an urge to confront an internal conflict – my effort to balance my roles as an artist and a mom. As an artist and an introvert, I’m most fulfilled when I carve out time by myself to create. Sequestering myself away in my studio feels selfish, especially when the hours I invest don’t always lead directly to a tangible outcome or predictable income. 

I’ve explored time as a theme in the greater Faces on the Ferry project deeply, both in terms of how time passes through the seasons and also how we choose to spend time. In “The Stillness Between,” this investigation becomes a comparison of two states: the individual (“Hush”) and the parent (“Lullaby” and “Profiles”).

The all-blue palette, the rippling waves, and the serenity of the women all contribute to a feeling of calm. The two mothers look towards the single woman with expressions of contentment, knowing both states are possible. This is who I try to be, and creating this triptych serves as a reminder that balance is possible. 

I wanted to work with color again, but stay within the cool range. I envisioned a trio of aquatic tones, and nicknamed them “The GVB Blues,” after the branding color used for the Amsterdam public transportation system. That was my working title for that series. But it didn’t represent the core sentiment. I needed a phrase evocative of both the ferry ride and those snatched peaceful moments. So this is The Stillness Between.

A few prints are now available on my webshop in advance of a physical exhibit (postponed due to COVID).

References

I loved this film: “Who Does She Think She Is?,” a documentary by Academy Award winning filmmaker Pamela Tanner Boll. It helped me form and answer questions about motherhood and my own artistic drive. Thanks to my friend Julie Phillips for watching it with me at a time when I really needed it.