I began painting this series of images more than a decade ago.  I didn't start out with a specific idea or intention in mind, rather I just began to paint and these are the images that came forth. I was not even aware of an interest in women's spirituality until these figures presented themselves to me. 

I say presented themselves, because that was my experience.  I would start to paint and by the time the eyes started to take form, I would have a question in my mind that was not composed of words, but had it been, it would have translated along the lines of “Who are you?” and perhaps “What do you want to say?”

I was surprised to see that most of the images were of women, and began to interpret them as ordinary women captured in a moment of connection.  This might be imaged as an experience of truth, reflection, clarity, love, courage, willingness, trust, humility or any of the myriad ways that the Divine might choose to shine in us.

This collection of “Contemporary Icons” hold incredible meaning for me, but I don’t necessarily know what they mean.   I have lived with these images for years, yet I continually find new ways of perceiving them.  They are like women I know in that respect; mysterious, changeable and difficult to pin down or neatly categorize or name.  It seems possible that these images might hold personal meaning for some of us, beyond anything intended or understood. 

In that sense, the women in these paintings may very well continue to unfold and become... just like us.