My sustained investigation has brought me on a spiritual journey. I started this series of work by expressing my anxiety and insecurities through self-portraits (1, 2). My interest in witchcraft started to seep into my work. I began extensive research on the different symbols, customs, and beliefs in modern witchcraft. I documented through oil paint a scene of me burning sage (4) to help literally and metaphorically cleanse the air around me and welcome good energies. I found myself drawn to the power that witchcraft gave to women that was different from my Catholic school upbringing. The nude frontal pose depicts the positive energy the witch takes from the world by giving herself wholeheartedly back to the world. I use circles throughout my work (oranges, evil eyes, orbs, halos, oracles) to represent balance, protection but also a place to let one’s guard down without judgement. Witchcraft has allowed me to see that whatever the world throws at you you can take it as a lesson and use it to practice. I took my anxiety and practiced love spells through creating intimate portraits of friends and I (6, 8, 9,10). The love spells are encased in a small jar (Image 9) sealed with wax. |