Marguerite McDonald Gallery
Artist's Bio
This pictorial journal began shortly after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. My first experience in the coffin-like MRI machine was of being squeezed in with my arms tightly crossed over my chest and a panic button being placed in my right hand. The crashing, multi-toned hammering sounds became more and more suffocating, deafening and frightening. I searched for a different space for my mind to escape. I then started to imagine how to use this experience in my art. After returning home from the hospital, I could stand long enough to start painting again. As it turned out, however, those were the last paintings on canvas I could manage. From then on I painted on paper while sitting down. It became necessary to distance myself from what was showing on the MRI films in order to create a work of art. I needed to find a different kind of beauty, mystery and intensity with paint other than what was showing on the films. As the years have gone by, I have had many weeks without strength to paint. But no matter how many hospital stays, set backs, exacerbations-with all their subtractions-I always fought my way back to the paint-a necessity for me. My work done in quiet solitude is now being validated by others-a "feel good" moment. I hope that other with MS or other affliction, be it spiritual, emotional or physical will find some kind of sisterhood or brotherhood with my work and me.
Acceptance (Cover: Vol. 12)
Self-Portrait (Vol. 12)
Spine Flowers (Vol. 12)
Crow (Vol. 12)
Snow on the Brain (Vol. 12)
Trying to Walk (Vol. 12)