2014, mixed media on paper, approximately 275 Valentine’s sent to my family and friends, edition 25, sizes vary.

When I was little, I loved distributing Valentines to my classmates.  In high school, it got sad when Valentine’s weren’t a requirement, but some people got Valentines from pining would-be lovers and I never got a thing.  My sophomore year at Sarah Lawrence, my friend Kirsty Mogensen gave me a handmade Valentine which forever changed my perspective back in favor of Valentine giving.  Giving makes up for not getting.  There is no shame in exposing my love for people.  It is important to let the people in my life know how I feel about them.   Everyone special in my life, who has touched me positively, deserves a Valentine.  Sometimes I do take people off my list.  Possibly, their impact on me has waned, or they do something horrible and that is the end.  Sometimes they just fall too out of touch, despite my Valentine entreaties.

This project is not just a way to keep in touch and remember family and friends.  Each Valentine is an unencumbered unique doodle.  While I make them, I am thinking about materials, shapes, colours and designs.  I play for fun and see what happens.  It is an uplifting way to start the year.  It inspires me with love and new ways of art making.