Raphaelina

My work was originally loosely inspired by the school of artists from the 19th century known as the Pre-Raphaelites. Their dreamy colors and romantic representations of mostly Greek and Roman mythology entranced and guided my color and theme choice. Now it has taken on a life of its own and my statement has developed as I’ve learned and grown with the endless array of multimedia materials which make up my work.
Much of what I create is in fact still inspired by the likes of ancient epics, real life heroes and wayward lines of poetry but, I’ve grown to encompass a wider range of natural aesthetic in my work. More modern tales, children’s books and flights of pure fantasy eke there way into my collections now and, I wouldn’t have it any other way. It's not a dichotomy of old and new that draws me but a Jungian continuity spanning generations.
While many of my pieces appear to take free, organic shapes, they are all based on the underlying concept of symmetry. On an instinctive level, people respond positively to things that are symmetrical; on a subconscious level, it’s how we discern beauty.
While some of my symmetry may be rather clear, some of my work is based upon seeing on how drastically I can minimize symmetrical elements while still inspiring that same, primal reaction of being content with balance.