After Hours I know my gift as an artist is inspired by a lifetime of rich experiences with remarkable women. However, the event which propelled me into the limitless creative possibilities of working with handmade paper and paper pulp is deeply etched in my soul.
Years ago, I was unemployed for six months. It felt like an eternity. I wandered about in a fog of confusion searching for my purpose in life. Family and friends tried unsuccessfully to help. My faith led me to search for answers in God’s Word. I poured through my Bible, I watched televised sermons and I listened to Christian radio. After Hours of abject loneliness, heart wrenching crying, futile worrying and aimless wandering, I surrendered to God and was at peace with my time of unemployment.
My days of depression and sleepless nights gave way to a quietness in my spirit allowing God to speak to me. He led me to experiment with paper as a medium to express my emotions. I used my hands to create artwork which brought a smile to my face and peace to my restless mind. With each new work, a different image with its own voice was created. I was in awe that new life could come from pieces of paper.
I am no longer unemployed. However, After Hours of working each day, I go home and find that creative and peaceful place inside myself. I hope my art creates a warm dialogue between you and the woman on the paper. As you view my work, do you feel the intricate paper image dancing through your mind’s eye stirring memories of the wonderful women who imprinted themselves upon your life? Mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, best girlfriends, teachers or even an image of yourself can all be found in my work. I invite you to honor them all.
Melba
