Growing up, I drove my parents crazy with my habitual lateness. My relationship with time is quite peculiar; an hour can feel like just fifteen minutes, while a single minute can stretch into what seems like an hour. I often find myself navigating a time warp. This painting captures the essence of that experience for me.
Jackson, Ann. (2023). Time Warp. [Acrylic mixed media on canvas]. Available. Triptych – three 12 x 12 inch
Two pages from an old dictionary were given to me. While working on this piece, I focused on highlighting the word pusillanimous exposed. To my delight, I also I noticed the words Queer and Wench, which made me laugh. It was perfect–there was my title!
Jackson, Ann. (2023). Queer Wench. [Acrylic mixed media on canvas]. Columbia, TN: Private collection. 10 x 20 inches
This painting represents a journey. Initially, it felt like a river cruise, with rock cliffs rising on both sides. As I moved forward, I passed through Ta Prohm, an ancient temple, eventually arriving at a mystical doorway hidden behind a waterfall. The entire experience has been a remarkable adventure.
Jackson, Ann. (2023). Mystical Solitude. [Acrylic mixed media on canvas]. Available. 24 x 48 inches
Strength in the Face of Dissolution was challenging, but I decided to create another small paper piece, referencing a rock face, to see if it would be as difficult as the first—and it was.
I felt like inventing a jigsaw puzzle without the interlocking knobs and holes of traditional pieces. Most of the “puzzle pieces” are made from homemade paper, while the deep orange portion uses store-bought paper.
“Perhaps it’s good for one to suffer. Can an artist do anything if he’s happy? Would he ever want to do anything? What is art, after all, but a protest against the horrible inclemency of life?” – Aldous Huxley
The reference photo for this painting was a rock by the lake. The piece resembles a jigsaw puzzle, primarily composed of small, torn pieces of homemade paper, with a few store-bought papers included. It made my eyes cross and took a considerable amount of time to complete.
I have many photos of Albert Paley’s iron fence at the Hunter Museum of Art in Chattanooga, TN, starting from the 1980s, including one of me standing in front of the gate. A particular view of this fence has adorned my phone wallpaper for several years, so it was only natural for it to inspire a painting. This painting made me so happy, I executed a second one of a different view of the fence.
Jackson, Ann. (2023). Albert Paley’s Iron Fence II. [Acrylic mixed media on cradle board]. Chattanooga, TN: Private collection. 12″x12″
Initially, I aimed to channel Prince with the purple background. However, as the metal band Exodus’s song “Toxic Waltz“ played on iTunes during the creation of the piece, it ended up taking on a vibe reminiscent of a “Fabulous Disaster,” which is also the title of Exodus’s album.
Samson just pulled down the pillars of the temple killing thousands of his enemies. Both of his wives had deceived him…the first by giving the Philistines the answer to his riddle; the second by cutting his hair which allowed him to be captured by the Philistines.
Samson’s riddle from Judges 14:
“Out of the eater came forth meat,
and out of the strong came forth sweetness.”
“What is sweeter than honey?
And what is stronger than a lion?”
Suddenly, space travel appears to be on the verge of becoming accessible to the average person. Do you ever dream of soaring through space? Do you think that funds allocated for space exploration should instead be directed toward humanitarian projects, like feeding the homeless and supporting underserved children?
Separating from longtime relationship is extremely difficult no matter the situation. Making changes in other areas of your life can also be scary. Alas, sometimes you just have to burn a bridge.
“Sometimes you get the best light from a burning bridge.” – Don Henley of the Eagles
People who practice magic sometimes make “war water” using rusty items. The rust turns the water dark and it is then used in rituals for protection against malevolent forces.
What type of bridge do you need on your life journey right now?
Consider what you are seeking in your life: Is it a break from the past, a journey into new territory, or a means to strengthen connections? Each type of bridge offers a unique pathway to exploration and reflection.
Bridge symbolism:
A Break from the Past (Burning Bridges)
Conquering Fear and ‘Overcoming’
Transition & Change
Travel
A Meeting Point
Unity
Farewells
Connection to God
A Lifeline
Trust
Liminality
Romance
New Beginnings
This abstract piece was created in October 2020, inspired by our pandemic circumstances. I began with a repeated symbol motif based on Celtic designs representing “evil” and “spirit.” My thought process was, “COVID-19 feels like an evil spirit enveloping the earth at this time.”
Ultimately, the final painting looked best with the symbols inverted, giving them an appearance reminiscent of mixed-up 666’s. My child playfully remarked that they resemble Picasso-style breasts. I titled the piece “Spirits In The Night” because I felt that few people would want to hang a painting called Evil Spirit in their home or office.
This piece titled À Votre Santé (To Your Health) is inspired by a wine rack from a Chattanooga restaurant. Intrigued by its patterns and colors, I began working on the painting just as COVID-19 was beginning to spread in the U.S. During the pandemic, it became evident that women significantly increased their alcohol consumption—by 41% compared to previous years.
According to a RAND Corporation study, women reported 41% more heavy drinking days during the pandemic than they did before. Additional research indicated that the psychological stress associated with COVID-19 contributed to this increase in drinking for women, but not for men.
Hearing repeated reports about the overuse of alcohol during this challenging time fueled my inspiration as I worked on the painting. I thought about what working moms (and dads) with school-aged children were enduring; the upheaval in their lives undoubtedly created more stress than they had ever experienced.
I sincerely hope that the overuse of alcohol has decreased post-pandemic and that we are moving toward a state of normalcy and good health! – Ann
This painting was inspired by a combination of architectural interiors.
A friend of mine remarked that this painting reminded her of the Honanki Heritage Site in the Coconino National Forest. After a quick Google search, the title was solidified, especially upon discovering the rock art dating back to AD 1150-1350.
NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory encountered a rare oddity in October 2017: a dark filament encircling an active region of the sun. Solar filaments are clouds of charged particles suspended above the solar surface, held in place by magnetic forces. Typically, they appear as elongated, uneven strands. Intrigued by this phenomenon, I found a way to incorporate these celestial elements into my painting, drawing inspiration from their unique and dynamic forms.
