My Sister and Niece-Portraits of Hope

Lori, 2006




Catydid, 2006


I only had a disposable black and white camera with me that day. We had hit the road, with camping gear, children and lots of hope of having a relaxing long weekend. We met down at the Maryland seashore where the wild ponies roam, on a weekend before the rush of summer tourists. I had wanted to take lots of pictures and try to come up with some ideas for large scale drawings for my BFA show this fall.

I asked my sister and her daughter if they would climb up into the lifeguard stand and pose for me. I loved the architectural design and weathered wood of this lone structure on the beach. Its tall, stately presence and the strong, sturdy cross posts reminded me of how much strength one must have in life. I was my sister's "lifeguard" during that difficult time, my sister is getting a divorce.

She gingerly climbed up to the seat after deciding her arty sister had a plan worth pursuing and I had her look to the right, I left one lone post in the background after editing out much of the clutter in Photoshop. I felt the post represented the past. In the photograph of "Catydid", her youngest daughter, I left two posts standing apart, representing her parents' separation. It took some Photoshop editing but I am pleased with the results.