Page 43 - Enso Circle Catalogue Term Four

About GAIL BYRNES Work #1

CROSSROAD
Driftwood, stick,
the Much of my childhood was spent roaming the woods where paperclay, ephemera
9” x 8”
NFS
Artist & I felt deeply connected to the world of nature - tree and plant, Work #2

river and stream, sky and cloud, sun and moon. The woods
MOTHER EARTH
the were my friend and where I spent most of my spare time Driftwood, paper
clay, shell, sea glass,
exploring, mostly by myself. I brought my sadness, grief, and
encaustic wax
Work worries to the woods, and always felt comforted. 14” x 8”
$150

Something else happened during my time in the woods. I Work #3
noticed light and shadows, coolness and heat. I saw what HOLDING THE
SORROW
was clearly visible and what became visible when I was Driftwood, paper clay,
daydreaming. Faces and shapes appeared everywhere - in encaustic wax, found
object
the clouds, in the swirling water, in the patterns of leaves, pine 13” x 6”
$125
needles and animal tracks on the ground. The sound of birds,

small animals and wind in the trees, the scent of flowers and BOUND
8”x 5”
of the earthiness of decomposing leaves, the taste of green Sticks, fabric, paper
clay, natural objects
grasses and leaves I chewed upon, the roughness of bark
under my hands and the soft feel of a fuzzy leaf, awakened my

senses, and shaped my ideas, thoughts, and creativity.

My art making throughout the years has evolved into the
creation of Spirit Dolls, most of which give expression to the

natural world. I love to use sticks, driftwood, paperclay, found
objects, encaustic wax and fabrics. My recent spirit dolls are
simple and for the most part without a lot of detail.

Recently, grief and loss have once again been major
companions, echoing a theme throughout my life. At this time,
I also feel a collective grief and sadness; the unimaginable
world-wide losses throughout the pandemic, grief about our

disconnection from each other, as well as from our planet and
the natural world. The Spirit Dolls I have made during these
past few months have centered around grief. I used driftwood,
a gift from the sea, as well as sticks, paperclay, encaustic wax,

and found objects to express all that comes from deep within.

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