Sissiboo Six

38 x 64”
acrylic on wood
3,300.

The word “Sissiboo” is an adaption of the French and Mi’kmaq words for “six owls” and “river.” Named by explorers, when six owls were spotted together in shoreline timber, the Sissiboo River runs through Weymouth, Nova Scotia where the Maine College of Art & Design invites its alum to apply for the Jenny Family Team Residency.

This piece honors the group Vaughan (as an MFA alum) brought together for this residency in a playful way. Each owl characterizes one individual artist. Can you guess, “Whoo is Hoo?”

 

ladies of the grove

39 x 15.5”
acrylic on wood with old side panel
2000.

Nova Scotia is full of birch trees. They symbolize healing and have medicinal qualities used over the centuries by the Native Americans. They are often called, “Ladies of the Woods.” This tall vertical of white forest is an influence of the palette used by many of the Group of Seven.

in the garden

25.5 x 16”
acrylic on wood
1000.

A female cardinal pauses on a stem in this quiet, green scene. this painting expresses a quietude in the brambles. it reminds us to stay light, when the world goes heavy.

spiro amphibi-o

12.5 x 28.5”
acrylic on wood with retro string art
1000.

Frogs are mind-boggling old on the chain of life. So is the cosmos and mathematical formations. The metamorphosis of this small living form is fascinating from tad pole to full-on batrachian. This piece toys with the modern look of a cell through a threaded, string spirograph, symbolizing transformations found in a babbling brook.

heavenly hosts | SOLD

33.5 x 51”
acrylic on wood
4000.

In this painting a host of sparrows seek sustenance and kinship. They are mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of God’s care for the smallest of creatures. There is something joyful and rekindling about seeing them together, swooping into foliage and undergrowth as if a cluster of little angels have gathered to make things better.

wetlander

16 x 47”
acrylic on wood with weathered inlay 
2400.

A pelican on dark water floats with ease as an abstraction of water at twilight accompanies this bird’s age-old form. A weathered mid panel houses a warm orb, acting like a sun, yet also bringing a touch of the modern into the painting.

peacemakers

21 x 31”
acrylic on wood within
stainless steel sink trim
2000.

A loyal pair of cardinals perch in foliage to observe our actions. In a world of conflict, this painting encourages us to pay closer attention to the messages found in Nature. The natural world offers us ways to find peace, answers to difficult questions and to reflect on the meaning of life.

Mother lode | SOLD

36 x 15”
acrylic on wood with old Lionel toy railroad bridge
2000.

A rare Lionel toy bridge influenced the shape and flush garden of this piece. Building the painting to fit playful antique parts, the subject turned to bridges that connect things. Monarchs are somewhat hidden amid busy, abundant growth – worth more than monetary value. To be aware of Mother Earth’s gifts, is to hit the true Mother lode as we walk the planet.

 
 

wellspring

33 x 9”
acrylic on wood with old cradle sections
1000.

A simple house sparrow pauses on a mossy branch as we ponder the addition of simple color and structure. Worn wood from a vintage cradle is built into the scene, symbolizing new beginnings and a wellspring of new life ahead.

forrester

27 x 14”
acrylic on wood
1500.

A blue jay in jeweled hues, pauses on the edge of woods to make eye contact with us. It is believed these birds carry messages from a higher power when they appear at meaningful times.

 
 

turning point

30 x 16”
acrylic on wood with formica inlays
1500.

A song bird, in calm neutrals, pauses quietly on an off-white meadow. The viewer is invited to think about Man alongside Nature as kitchen table formica inlays are the color of earth tones on a six-sided hexagon. This chosen shape hints at the mathematical forms of the universe. The number six symbolizes divine power and Creation. A soft blue-sky orb acts is an an ode to the earth, sometimes called the blue marble.”

so bee it | SOLD

10.5 x 36.5”
acrylic on wood with rolling marbles
1500.

This horizontal painting of buzzing bud and bee plays homage the energy of living things, emphasizing abundance found in a meadow. The cycle of life simply rolls by us each season. Marbles on an added art shelf signal the beauty of the giant blue marble we live on.

 

botany ball                           

28 x 18”
acrylic on wood with color-scope ruler
1400.

A colorful, kaleidoscopic ball drops from above. We wonder what it might do when it lands after it cascades through a kind of fertile cosmos. This quirky abstract plays with the beauty of circles. It represents the potential for life to come.

 

hope twig | SOLD                           

19 x 13”
acrylic on wood within sink trim
1200.

A chickadee lands on a branch as we catch his look of curiosity and determination. Songbirds embody simple messages of abundance and hope.

budding faith

29 x 8.5”
acrylic on wood with
antique color-scope
1000.

This vertical image plays homage to the peony, like a giant ball dropping into the garden of life. The soft, soon-to-bud orb reminds us of the brevity and potential within each moment. An antique construction of color at the base, brings an ironic modern look to the piece.

 

bel canto

22.5 x 14.5”
acrylic on wood within rustic metal pattern
1000.

This old metal part wanted to pay homage to the flow and flight of birdlife. A yellow finch pauses amid the brambles, making us feel a sensation of fresh air and clean color components. Bel canto means “beautiful song.”

free will

33 x 22”
acrylic on wood within aluminum trim
2200.

This soft abstract pays homage to the tender renewal of new life in earthly places. Seedling and root have a will of their own each spring and we, too, find ways to move forward through trial and tribulation, doing our best to believe in goodness.

 

butterfly effect

15 x 20”
acrylic on wood with 1970’s computer emblem inlay
1200.

For those of us that watched Halt and Catch Fire, a film series based on the history of the computer, we know these retro emblems mark the start of advanced technology found on large computerized machines. When placed alongside the natural life of the chrysalis, an interesting dichotomy occurs.

underwood

40.5 x 70”
acrylic on wood with ash wood underlay by Jack Sandeen
for the offices of Ann Heckman – Central Dental Group
Hastings, Nebraska
NFS

The tones and abstractions of root, soil, wood and earth in this painting are inspired by the Platte River. The intuitive intention here is fertile ground, where new life comes from the breakdown of the old. Unexpected crevices, flaws and random brambles are suggestive in this overall organic painting made more meaningful by the beauty of Sandeen’s worn, polished wood piece attached at the base.

dream weaver | SOLD

15 x 35”
acrylic on wood within an old loom panel
2000.

Finding this unusual loom part with delicate wire work, inspired a delicacy of feeling through roots and soft brambles of earth, painted with ease. After the house sparrow was added to this piece, to my amazement, I discovered they are called “weaverbirds” and symbolize Creation.