Rite of Water (2010-2012)

The water is one of the few places where we can learn to be both fragile yet capable. My children have known the lure and the danger of the ocean their entire lives. From the time they could walk I found myself photographing them in the waves and depths of the Pacific Ocean on a regular basis. I witnessed them learning to trust their power and be at peace with their vulnerability as they went through a special rite of passage. This process was a direct parallel to my own rite of passage as an artist. I too was learning to be confident yet vulnerable as I allowed my work to go out into the world. A series of painful events helped me realize that making this series was directly related to my own personal growth-allowing myself to be vulnerable and trust in my own abilities to share my unique view on life. Each color panel represents the early phase of a rite of passage-'the cutting away.' This is the place where they are leaving what is familiar and comfortable. This is where courage and capability play a role. The black and white images represent the phase where the learning and fear occurs. Their understanding of what is happening is unclear and scary to them and to the viewer. During this phase they are called 'threshold people.' This is the vulnerable period where a rebirth occurs.