Ann Arbor Women Artists 2019 Fall Juried Exhibition

Ann Arbor Downtown Library Oct 21 - November 29

I want to share the context of the two paintings of mine selected for this show, Making Adjustments and Remembrance. These two images reflect experiences unique to my time as the spouse of an active duty service member.

Making Adjustments (also recognized as ‘the one with the red dress’)

In this painting you can easily see my love of Alphonse Mucha’s theater posters. I was drawn to the image of the woman dressed for a ball and adjusting her shoe on the side of the road. Not long ago we attended a unit formal, all dressed and dolled up, and then found ourselves headed out for a drink on the town afterwards. I love an excuse to dress up and pamper myself. However, it can be a little strange walking a downtown street in high-heels, not dressed for the cool evening, and with my husband dressed in his most formal Army uniform. We are interesting to watch, I’m sure, a dressy group on our way from a formal occasion to the local bar. Then there was the time in Alaska, in the bitter cold, on the ice. It has always been worth it. The title, Making Adjustments, honors military families who live constantly in transition.

Remembrance (Fallen Soldiers Table)

I’m not sure many people outside of the military community know about the Fallen Soldiers Table. I arranged this still life specifically to bring this tradition to a larger audience.

A Fallen Soldier Table honors service members who have fallen in the line of duty. It is set up off to the side at military balls and other formal occasions. The clean white place setting represents the wish that the fallen men and women could be present at a special occasion with us. The white candle represents the light of hope. The rose represents the families who love and keep faith with the men and women who serve. A yellow ribbon is tied on the vase to represent loyalty in waiting for those who are serving away from home. The inverted glass represents the fact that the fallen comrade will not be able to participate in the happy toasts at this event. The lemon represents the bitter loss of the life of the fallen soldier. The salt

represents tears shed for the soldier who is missed. An empty chair is placed at the table.

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