Cassie > Kristina > Lindsay

Our group worked cohesively on developing the theme of the female psyche: exploring the stages of the maiden, the mother and the crone.

My journey began at the beginning with the maiden, “the inner child”. Creating layered symbols reflective on my own nostalgia, basic needs, simplicity, yet the impactful memories and scars of childhood.

I felt most connected and drawn to our present day or “motherhood” canvas. Currently living in the chaos of motherhood, I explored the many contractions and beauty that come with my role as “mom”. The crone canvas, I enjoyed idolizing balance, peace and wisdom within aging and a lifetime well lived.

Kristina > Lindsay > Cassie

My original canvas reflected one part of our three part theme: the mother. In exploring the maiden (or the inner child), the mother (or the present self), and the crone (or the future self), my group was able to explore unity through unifying these different parts of our psyche. For the mother canvas, I reflected the sense of unity I feel in my newfound role as a mother, and the community I have made coming into this phase of my life. As the canvas was passed around, a sense of nature and nurture came through, as my group members reflected on the innate parts of themselves, the womb, healing, and the cycle of long days and nights, even when time feels to be moving all too fast. The passing of the canvas allowed for this piece to come full circle, and to spark an awareness of our inner nurturer through the creative process.

Lindsay > Cassie > Kristina

Our group decided to depict the idea of unifying our psyche: healing our inner child, building our image of present self, and imagining our future self.

I took on the chapter of “future self” in my canvas. I have already learned that it is an immense privilege to grow old. I hope my future self logs a lot of quality years that result in achieving the wisdom that is often associated with “the crone”.

At the end of my time here, I hope I have the ability to remember it, as well as leave those I love with no doubts as to how much they impacted my life. I want to be able to honor myself as a whole person, not categorize myself into “good” and “bad” parts. I want to be able to greet Death like an old friend, part this life as equals, and send signs to family and friends from the “other side” like I believe others have done for me.

Danielle > Jessie > Nicole

Being a part of Unity I and II offered me the opportunity to explore its meaning beyond the surface. Expanding understanding of the layers underneath. I utilized this process to express my spiritual experience and its connection to the cycles of nature within and around us. Through this series, I processed a deep grief/loss that I recently endured and how the symbols of nature showed up when I needed them most. Their wisdom in nature reminds me of the fragility and impermanence of life; how to navigate different seasons, growth, change, life and death.

Jessie > Nicole > Danielle

While my initial associations regarding unity were related to themes such as shared thinking or elements being similar/the same, I found myself feeling mostly fractured and separated throughout this project. I do not see this element as a negative or “bad”. I appreciate the individuality and unique quality that each artist approached the canvasses with. Although the artists were chosen at random, the three of us coincidentally knew each other prior to the Unity project. I felt a sense of respect for how the 2 artists might alter my artwork, and I felt comfortable to add and manipulate each canvas.

When I received the final canvas, I decided to deconstruct the content on it and piece it back together. I then added plaster over the deconstructed pieces to convey the original canvas being “patched” or “growing” back together. I hoped it would create a feeling of regeneration and transformation.

Nicole > Danielle > Jessie

This Unity process has been an incredible experience. I started my canvas with two hands holding a bunch of flowers. I find that people and nature are in Unity and have more in common than we realize. Now it looks nothing like that, but it united Danielle, Jessie, and me together permanently through the art.

Nic > Lindsey > Ania

Several years ago, I learned that all skin tones can be made with the three primary colors (red, blue and yellow), black, and white. I used this as inspiration for my initial canvas. To me, using these simple colors to create skin tones represents unity. As a person with privilege, it is important to me to make space for and amplify the voices of those that are otherwise muted. As a result, when I received the other canvases, I wanted to continue the story that my fellow artists began.

Lindsey > Ania > Nic

For my initial canvas, I decided to explore the ways in which I am finding unity within my own life. When this process began, I found myself in a time of transition. Upon reflecting, I thought of unity as something that I am in the process of building. I chose to use the metaphor of a mountain, with different collaged layers of the mountain to represent the various areas in my life that I am building up, settling, and attempting to unify. As my group passed along our canvases, I saw central themes emerging, including color palette, texture, and a sense of playfulness. My group demonstrated unity not only through our art but also through meeting throughout the process. I enjoyed seeing and hearing how each piece changed while still maintaining a piece of each of us.

Ania > Nic > Lindsey

Unity 2 as a process was as challenging as it was cathartic. Determined to let go of the personal baggage that influenced my creative process previously, I was eager to use my voice three times over.

Throughout this creative period I found myself being influenced heavily by childlike wonder. I got my hands dirty, I crumpled materials I took time to reflect and respond to my environment and I felt the artistic excitement one can feel when you make a project and your parent is proud. It was freeing. Challenging was working so closely with my fellow collaborative artists. We all showed up with an immense amount of respect and each canvas felt as if we were trying our best to match the feeling poured into the canvas from the artist before. This to me felt like a small art family - meeting at each turn, sharing, laughing, creating and cheering one another on. The process to me was the most unifying and the art should be the reflection of this.

Cheryl > Dee Dee > Amanda

As a professional artist coming into this, I felt I had met a true challenge; to not only create art, but to also forge a connection with two people in the process. I brought an element into our project that added another dimension while bridging all three canvas’ together (in essence leaving a piece of me to be united with all 3). In my original canvas, I led with a tree with animals together in what would be the sound hole of a ukulele. Nature has always seemed to be more naturally united. Music has always inspired always to gather around and listen, dance, sing, or cry. I tried to remain true to the original artist while leaving adequate opportunity for the next, all while making sure my contribution was also true to me. It was interesting to see how all 3 canvas evolved to their final form.

Dee Dee > Cheryl > Amanda

Unity comes from the word to unite…to join…to come together. When people unite for a purpose, the goal becomes greater than a singular person’s objective. I started the first canvas with images of nature creating natural bonds, trees bending towards other trees to create a path. The Hopi Indian sign for unity, the statue of liberty, a fire pit, a group creation from a soup kitchen, are all images that bring us together for a joint intention. My crew members and I were all strangers coming together to create, this developed a bond that was quickly cemented and surprisingly deepened through our sharing of canvases. Art continues to intrigue me with its ability to create and heal. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with these two talented women.

Amanda > Cheryl > Dee Dee

Rachel > Carolyn > Jen

I had a baby in December. One of the most wondering and surprising things was how instinctively he looked right into my eyes. Before he knew anything at all, he knew how to lock into a mutual gaze. I found myself imagining mirror neurons developing behind his eyes, learning how to connect with me in ways that would affect his future relationships. Mirror neurons are credited with our ability to empathize with others, and make sense of each others’ actions. When I think of “unity,” I think of this power we have to connect and function within social systems. For these paintings, I tried to use mirrors as a theme. Without knowing this, my group members were able to incorporate a fluidity and flow that reflects unity. It was really a pleasure to see such different concepts on one theme culminate in such cohesive pieces.

Jen > Rachel > Carolyn

As an artist who has taken a mental and creative sabbatical for what seems decades now, I approached UnITy in a way to reconnect with my own artistic being, along with the collaboration with the other artists.

Staring at the blank canvas, I was lost at first, trying to envision how it would change from one artist to the next. I wanted the process to be organic and not too planned out, as how I’ve always approached my craft - whether it be with photography, sculpting or painting.

Drawing from a moment of the day when I feel the most at peace – a calm and colorful sunset on the water. My first canvas reflects this and as I thought more about the piece, I came to the idea that we all see the same sun – whenever or wherever we are. We are UNIFIED by it. I shared that idea when I passed my canvas along.

The universe has a way of UnITing people in ways we might never understand. Without any discussion of our process, I saw the same beach/aquatic theme in the pieces as they came to me. I continued this concept throughout.

Carolyn > Jen > Rachel

My first piece was my nature interpretation, using earth tones in a paint pour reflected to me the unity of us with nature. I also thought I made a good base to work from.

My second piece (as second artist) honestly threw me for a loop, the previous artist used colors and abstracts that wouldn’t necessarily be my “style” so I was at a loss… after some time I had a strong nautical vibe and used decoupage to recreate underwater foliage.

My third canvas was truly the hardest of all. I could not identify with the previous artists’ approach, and I stared at this piece most of the month untouched. Finally, I thought of dipping the canvas in white paint, as if to start new… but not completely, mocking drip lines and changing the orientation.

Using different techniques and honoring the previous artists was very important to me. In the long run the fact that we come from different places with different ideas and approaches, yet coming together is truly the definition of Unity.

Jen > Jane > Carolyn

When I first signed up for this collaborative art show, I felt a little lost, isolated, and in the middle of reinventing myself. I began to explore this idea of CONNECTION. I recently changed jobs after well over a decade of working with some of the closest people to me. I felt beyond disconnected, I wondered how I could begin to reconnect with those around me and create new connections. I sat with my blank canvas for quite some time, thinking about what connection and unity really means to me - understanding, empathy, feeling the depth of emotions with one another. As I am now seeing the impact of my team on my original painting, along with the impact I made on theirs, I truly feel our connection. We did not meet, we didn’t really discuss much, yet our art connected us.

Carolyn > Jen > Jane

Grief: deep sorrow, especially thats cause by someones death.

At the start of working on my original piece for this collaborative show; my family unexpectedly lost our grandfather, who he himself was the definition of unity; uniting generations with unconditional love, lack of judgement, perseverance, and strength. I struggled to connect to the canvas, had no motivation…until I recognized it was because I was attempting to create a vision I could not bring into fruition due to the tidal wave grief had me consumed by. I allowed my grief to take form; vulnerability to fill the page: and through allowing this vulnerability to grow and change, found unity in grief.

Jane > Carolyn > Jen

I approached the theme Unity by focusing on uniting the parts of myself. I explored my child side, the part of me in a relationship and self accepting side. It is important for me to identify and recognize what parts are playing roles in my life. This way I can better maintain balance and peace.

Casey > Kristie > Tee

This project was an exploration of the profound connection between unity and communication, interwoven within the delicate fabric of self-perception. In a world often fragmented by differences, I believe that unity is attainable through the power of dialogue and understanding. These works serve as a visual conversation inclusive of diverse voices coming together, each stroke and color representing a unique perspective.

Through these works, we attempted to highlight the beauty in the harmony of differences and the strength that emerges from respectful discourse; seeking to convey the idea that true unity can only be achieved when individuals engage in meaningful conversations, respecting one another's identities and experiences.

Through this project, viewers were invited to reflect on their own self-esteem journey, reminding them that in unity, every voice finds validation, fostering a stronger sense of self. By embracing our own uniqueness within the collective, we can bolster our self-worth."

Tee > Casey > Kristie

This art represents the topography of the journey to Unity. I created a map that identifies and explains the different places you might travel to on this journey. Besides these “places”, which are identified as emotions on this canvas, it is also vital to look at yourself and where you have come from while moving towards Unity. This concept is represented in my art with mirror pieces. The mirror allows an ever-changing piece of art, as each time it is looked at, it is a different piece. I find this concept fitting for this project as the art will also change with each new artist’s additions. This all parallels my perception of the journey to unity, which also feels like it is ever-changing.

Kristie > Tee > Casey

I created this piece about the unity between self love and relationship to others. Using a pour paint technique, I created the loose shape of a human head. Its colors swirl out into stark whiteness as the whiteness reciprocates by penetrating the human shape. To me, the white represents a surrounding void that is created when self love is lacking. Despite the swirling colors reaching out to grasp, the human remains untouched by anything outside of itself until self love is found. This art is a reflection of self thought, and an invitation for the second and third artists to reflect, interpret relate and challenge the original theme.

Kathy > Ally > Kristen

I started my process of looking for inspiration by looking up quotes about unity. Then a dreamcatcher and knots doodled their way into my intuition. Then I had an experience that really got me thinking about the incivility and injustice that has become such a feature of our lives and culture. and my theme became - a Dream of Unity, to be pursued... For me this was a process of integration with the work of other artists, even if we didn’t share the same aesthetic. As the first artist I approached the process as laying a ground to be built on. Passing it on and staying open to wherever my start will go. This has felt like a more intimate journey of sharing what we’ve created and staying committed to following our unique perspectives, integrating, complimenting, blending and building on each others images. Having a dialogue with the others image and aesthetic in a way that preserves the individual voices and spirit of each others artworks while adding my own. “You can never have unity if youwant things your way.” - Cyril Ramapohosfor

Kristen > Kathy > Ally

I explored unity and my connection to nature on my original canvas. As I worked alongside my fellow artists, the canvas transformed from a blank surface into a reflection of our shared experience of living on the same planet.

Unity was not just a visual concept but a profound realization of our interconnectedness. Nature served as my muse, guiding my artistic process to capture the beauty and fragility of the natural world.

As I reflect on this journey, I'm deeply moved by how the canvas evolved. It shifted from a solitary endeavor to a collective expression of unity. This process reminded me of the power of collaboration, where individual perspectives blend into a harmonious whole, just as humanity must unite to preserve the Earth we call home.

Ally > Kristen > Kathy

I explored “unity” in my original canvas with the theme of community and team work. I chose to represent these themes with bees and a beehive. I feel that bees are the ultimate team players, they work with a “hive mind” for the greater good of the colony. I think my group did a great job of being cohesive, being thoughtful, being authentic while leaving space for others. I feel that we worked well as a team and were supportive and helpful to one another throughout the process.

Kelly > Vanessa > Gracemarie

I approached the “Unity” project by looking inward and connecting my past to my present. Identifying where I have come from, to where I am now, and how people, places and things have influenced that ie; “unity, connection and even disconnection”. Even though this was a group project, we each started with a blank canvas, alone. My initial piece included drawings I did for an art show at the completion of undergraduate school. My piece was titled “The Dark Side of Modeling”. It displayed the pain and trauma women put their bodies and minds through in order to be “unified” with society’s view of being a size ‘0’. I was in school to become an art educator, not knowing then that I would become an Art Therapist today working with people who struggle with mental health issues. Our group discussed the unity project and we spoke about the connection to past and present, strength as women, as we were 3 women embarking on this project, and “water”. I found this article that indicated; “Time by the ocean leaves you feeling awakened and cleansed-physically, emotionally and spiritually”. Which is what time does also, through connection and unity with yourself, others and nature.

Vanessa > Gracemarie > Kelly

We found Unity in ourselves by connecting past and present and unity in each through women’s strength.

The first canvas painting was the foundation, knowing as collaborators, we’d continue building upon one another’s personal story. The cigar box collection expanded each canvas “foundation” to hold each woman’s ideas. Initially, historical cigar box painting led me to the story of Emily Davison, a British suffragette. She became an early sacrifice for womens’ voting rights, when she was accidentally trampled by King George’s Horse during a 1913 Derby. Davison’s archive included a cigar box with the inscription, ‘Till we meet fight on God will give the victory no surrender'.

The cigar box purpose shifted to vessel for the second and third rounds. The illustrated boxes framed and held the canvas paintings. The ocean and horizon represent persistent calm, reflection, nostalgia, hope, and renewal.

Gracemarie > Kelly > Vanessa

We all started this journey from different points, but we were connected by the theme of womanhood. We’ve shared similar imagery, like water, healing, and transformation. But, as water ebbs and flows, our art also ebbs and flows to the artist. My approach to the art was to express the different journeys of a woman. My goal was to be able to adapt to each canvas and its additions to the space. I went in wanting to utilize crocheting thread and wire to represent unity but found I could use the materials to speak more about the story on the canvas. Many times during creation, I was reminded of my own journey as a woman, and because of this connection, I wanted to make art that felt authentic to me.