Barley Vogel Artist Statement - about current show: Offerings from Liminal Space

The friendship I’ve developed with ink, paper, and paint opens me to art that connects deeply to my being.  I often begin a work with repetitive mark making which resembles Spencerian Calligraphy or Off-Hand Flourishing with one of my cherished collection of antique flex nib fountain pens. This process empties me or predicts my future or dream-messages me from subconscious realms. Resulting works on paper and canvas emerge from venturing into pareidolia - a bit past the immediate into a forest of sorts - filled with creatures and symbols that come from where . . .  some liminal space. I welcome these gifts as offerings from unknown realms sent to support; to entertain or inform. Often the work only asks my presence in the moment. At times I just listen and witness but often enough I participate as if in conversation with my very best of friends. In this show, Offerings From Liminal Space, I've included works where I sat with thoughts of my recently deceased life partner and best friend before, during and after they passed - as we adjusted to this new form of continuing conversations the result appears on the page. Also included are works that express footfalls into gratitude and joy for life.