Fragments of a life : constructing a personal story

Renew thyself completely each day; do it again, and again, and forever again.Jon Kabat-Zinn, Wherever You Go There You AreThe above quotation sums up my feelings about this thesis. By reviewing my life I feel a sense of renewal. I think that my memories are true and accurate. My story certainly is a living memory of my time. I have found that in telling my story I have purged myself of much of my past and refreshed myself in mind and spirit.I start my story by reviewing the three artists who have influenced my work over the past two years, Squeak Carnwath, Jean Hammond and Nancy Spero.I then give a chronological resume of my life to date: my time as a mother, teacher and artist. I describe some of my earlier works together with the moods and emotions which accompanied them. The latter part of the chapter deals with my life in the United States and how my work is developing and the many influences which are helping in this process.In Chapter 3, I talk about my imagery and my latest thoughts as an artist, and go on to describe the paintings which make up the exhibition which accompanies this thesis.Finally, I have attempted to evaluate the fragments of my life, fragments which make up the whole. This is my catharsis. I have released much of myself and my inhibitions. I have absorbed a variety of stimuli and felt a multitude of sensations. My emotions have ebbed to and fro, and in retelling my story I have renewed myself.Department of ArtThesis (M.A.