"Prayer"

Yesterday I finished the installation of a project I've been working on all summer. "Prayer" is a series of 15 ten foot hanging banners that I created by distressing sheer fabric with coffee and ink, then photocopying some very personal journal entries onto the fabric. I then screenprinted a vortex shape in the middle of each "page". I was able to get one more element of depth by adding a third layer of sheer fabric that I inserted thin pieces of wire into. The wire can be manipulated to create an interesting dimension.

The inspiration for this piece comes from the journal entries. I met my husband in 2002 at the Defense Information School at Fort Meade, Maryland. We were in the Army doing our advanced training in photography and journalism. At first we didn't have much opportunity to get to know each other except for the occasional long walk around post or maybe a stolen glance during our early morning exercise formations. Our faith in God was a common bond that drew us closer together as the weeks and months passed. We started keeping a prayer journal that we would secretly pass back and forth to each other every day or so. He would write a prayer for me, and I would write a prayer for him, and eventually our relationship grew into love. The journal really is a precious treasure, one that I used to take out and reread during the long deployments that kept us apart for months at a time, year after year. Now the journal is the source of this artwork. For me, the vortex-like screenprinted design that makes up the color pattern of the piece represents a spiritual source, but many people see it as a nest. I guess in some ways, the "nest" appears to be protecting the intimate nature of the text. The color intensifies as it gets closer to the middle of the piece and radiates out, just like a relationship intensifies and grows. Also the banners are much bigger than a human and they take on an ethereal quality as they float heavenward.

The words written are honest and pure, and I hope that same kind of sincerity comes through in the artwork.

An excerpt: "God, keep helping Leslie and I along your path. We know that through You anything is possible, so give us strength and wisdom to turn away from the doors you close, and walk through the ones you open. - Justin"