GAZA 2025

I feel such despair about the situation in Gaza. Helpless...

The only way I can respond is doing what I do, paint. 

This painting concluded rapidly over Easter Sunday. The last day Pope Francis was with us. I saw him on tv in his Pope mobile and thought " He looks so frail, poor chap " but also how astonishing his strength of mind was, to go out and greet the Easter crowds. That look in Francis's eyes; his chest puffed up high and appearing somehow solid, reminded me so much of my late husband Dave when he was so ill with emphysema and on oxygen. Digging in, narrowed eyes, grey skin, every shallow breath almost a grabbed at gasp, determined... "getting there"

I had the 'bones' of the painting already and for days I kept looking at it, asking it what it wanted? I felt that it might become a special one. I hadn't painted much from my heart for some time, but this one was different .

Palestine came to mind. I don't know why. It must have been something residual about Francis and his focus on the Holy Land in recent comments. I wanted to paint soil. The soil that covers the dead, the soil that the olive trees grow from, the circle of life. I worked distractedly in silence almost like an observer and the painting ... evolved. I followed thoughts instinctively not purposely. 

By about six o'clock pm, I stood away. Sunshine was streaming into the studio, a blackbird was singing full throttle in the garden and I just stood, gazing at the painting. I knew it was about Gaza. It took no sides, there was no definition of any religion but it was powerful.

I continue to detect hidden narratives within it. Yes, it is horrific but it also feels metamorphic, optimistic to me. It settles perfectly in it's monochrome. I'm suddenly reminded of Goya. I also think of Turner's 'Death on a pale horse'.