Beeline

I crafted this artwork specifically for the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative’s Beyond Boundaries project. Thirty-five collaborative members and associates made 12 inch by 12 inch artworks that incorporated some sort of visual element running through the center of each piece. When displayed side by side, these visual links connected one image to the next, one artist to the next, thus shifting the emphasis of the artwork from the individual to the collective whole in order to celebrate the inter-connectivity and diversity of the Chicago art community.

The central line in Beeline resembles more of a labyrinth than a straightforward path. The sketchy purple line meanders throughout the entire piece, mirroring the emotions I experience when encountering an unfamiliar place: a buzzing excitement, disorientation, and a hint of terror. When the opportunity to work on this project arose, I was still learning to navigate Chicago. For me, establishing a connection with a place begins with its environment. I find solace and understanding in nature, as it speaks to me more clearly than people do. Moreover, the way a community cares for its surroundings reveals a great deal about its inhabitants.

In Beeline, I blended man-made and natural textures and patterns from Craftsman details of my former upstate New York home and prairie fragments from my new Illinois residence. At times, these two groups intertwine harmoniously, while at others, they clash as distinct opposing forces. This merging and repulsion echo the delicate dance of trying to embrace a fresh start without completely severing ties to the past. Ultimately, experiences like this infuse my life with vibrancy and remind me that I can be resilient, adaptive, and courageous.