Days of Our Lives

House of Saffron

40x30”. Mixed media on canvas. 

My mother may have been a berber in a previous life. Her favorite saying was “I am not married to my belongings - they are just on loan”.  But she did have large collections of copper bowls, samovars and cooking spices. After she died we found her stash of saffron and crushed Aleppo peppers worthy of a great restaurant. The time-worn labels say “House of Saffron”.

Destinies

48x24”. Mixed media on canvas: Acrylics, crayons, newsprintr, and monotype collage. 

We follow roads and rivers, airstreams and oceans, golden desert dunes and dazzling stars. We travel to the ends of our horizons and the depths of ourselves. And still we seek clarity. And still our hearts beat for sunshine and new landscapes and  the chance to redefine our destinies.

Madame Fofana’s Salon

36x24”. Mixed media on canvas. 

I met Mme Fofana in West Africa when I was 22. She was ageless and, like a second mother, protected me from the neighborhood kids who were forever trying to rub off my powdery white skin. To be fair, I had lousy hair before I met her and despite the fact that she burned off chunks with her questionable pomade, she was unapologetic and adorned me with beautiful tresses while advising me to see the world from others’ points of view.

Au Marché

24x24”
Acrylics and Crayons on canvas.

Dowry

 40x 30”. Mixed media - Acrylics and monotype collage on canvas. 

I never had a dowry but if I did, I would want some Amazigh carpets on my list. Those ladies are true abstract painters and I imagine the symbols woven into their carpets hold many mysteries.

Jebel Jewels 1

24x24”

Mixed media on birch panel.

Inspired by the colors and jewels of North Africa.