Artist Statement
{ROLLERCOASTER/ ‘Scenes from a Marriage’ is a cinematic exploration of the complexities and challenges that arise in long-term relationships} It began during the height of the pandemic. I was overwhelmed with the fear of losing my husband, Don. In response, I decided to use photography as a way to express my emotions and cope with the uncertainty of the times. What started as a single experiment soon evolved into a much larger project that aimed to capture the ordinary and extraordinary moments of our 43-year marriage. At first, Don was hesitant to participate, but I had a feeling I could entice him to participate. I began to pay close attention to our environment and our day-to-day activities and how we interacted with each other. Dry, sarcastic, humorous moments emerged-As did mysterious, thriller-like scenarios. Through storyboards, staging, lighting, and wardrobe, I was able to carefully plan each photograph, drawing on my background in theater. The process of creating these photographs was emotionally and physically complex, but it ultimately brought us closer together as a couple. We laughed, cried, fought, and loved through the entire experience. As we take a deep breath and share our body of work with the world, we’re both aware of a sense of loss. But we’re also grateful for the opportunity to create something meaningful and profound together. Overall, our project has been an extraordinary ride that has allowed us to grow as individuals and as a couple. I am currently working on my first book with Kehrer Verlag in Heidelberg, Germany
