Dreams + Truths, 2021, 20x24 Dreams + Truths is a painting about Resilience.
Influenced by political divide and social instability, the artworks are a vehicle to express vulnerability, self-worth and expectations in relationships. This mixed media painting portrays the fragility of human connections and understanding our need to stand up as one people is standing up for all. Through my artwork I explore injustices towards women and people of color. Through my artwork I explore injustices towards women and people of color.

Adding texture to the surface of the canvas, then distressing with e-acto knives and nails is symbolic of the physical and emotional distress inflicted on black people. In developing a visual narrative, my paintings give a voice to generations of people who have been a part of systematic racism.

Dreams Change, 24x36, 2021
Dreams Change is about a year of looking within. Deciding what one needs and wants to be happy, fulfilled and centered. I have been collecting vintage textiles for several decades; representing personal history. Her right eye socket is of books edged in gold leaf, what I value. Her left arm was creating using cut magazine images to resemble a tattoo sleeve - though I don't have any tattoos, I studied the Anthropology of Tattoos in college and appreciate them for their cultural/creative design and personal messages they impart.

Captive of Her Beliefs, 24x36, ©2021 , She holds fast to her spiritual journey as she navigates through life. Her journey includes ancestors that came before her, she carries their hopes, dreams, burdens. Captive of Her Beliefs is about women having the strength to go through the day. No matter what comes her way, she is light, grace and gratitude and exudes hope.

No Sudden Movements, 18x24, 2021 No Sudden Moves is a mixed media painting about police brutality. He wears the crown, at the top of his field, living the dream and still any moment he can be stopped by police for being black. This painting is about fear of the unknown if you make the wrong move, say the wrong thing. The upside down American flag is upside down to illustrate Distress. Three sides of the canvas are painted with gold circles and torn Vintage Dictionary pages cove the sides. The white textile with holes illustrates the holes in the Policeman's collaborated stories about the killings.

Race, 24x30, 2020 This painting is about pride in one's lineage. I created this painting to generate a conversation about race and the words that are used by others to define people of color. The portrait was inspired by a photo of Jimi Hendrix. His Afro which defines him, was made with rolled dictionary pages, it is his strength worn as a crown held together with an American Flag headband. When ethnic slurs are hurled at him, he is resilient. He wears it as a badge of honor for those that fought for his rights before him.
His face is a collage made up of photos of a 1960s car race and an African mask.

La Femme, 24 x 36, 2019
"La Femme" literally means Look for The Woman. This mixed media painting is an abstracted figure of a woman. I have incorporated pages from a vintage dictionary from a page with the words Woman, Womankind, Procreate and Procrastinate. a In addition, there are 2 pages from a French letter dated ...

Cell of Rebellion, 24x36, 2021 Cell of Rebellion recognizes individuality, inspired by the black lives matter movement. The grille is to guard words that flow when police brutality and racism get in your face.

The Sum of Us, 22x28, 2021 "The Sum of Us" is a mixed media painting about power plays in relationships. The trust we expect from others and the misunderstandings when we don't communicate. The Pandemic has brought many relationships to a end and others have been strengthened as we navigate new ways to relate to one another...

A Deeply Flawed Man, 24x24, 2019 The complexity of world events, fast moving and observed in real-time, elevates one's imperfections. Inspired by the political and social-sexual actions of flawed men. It speaks to a breakdown of civility between men and women, esteemed world leaders and elected officials.

Resilient , SOLD, 16x20 2020 Mixed Media Collage on Canvas,
Won third place in juried show, Nov. 2020. LIMITED PRINTS AVAILABLE

Persistence and Passion 24x36 2020 A tortured tale of what happens when sheer passion meets pushback and roadblocks appear too large to overcome. This painting represents a woman morphing into whoever he wants her to be only to realize- he's just a man with flaws.

Race II, 16x20, 2021, This painting is about race and how children navigate their lives with others. I represent "Race" with a print of a vintage car race. This digital vintage school photo from 1910 shows 2 young black girls, dressed up for their class photo, they have proud expressions, while the other children display dour looks. In the lower part of the woman's black dress is a dark photo of children's shoes ( from another vintage class photo, subtle inference how she carries school experience with her through life.)

Their Unresolved Past, 30x40 Painting, 2020 Their Unresolved Past is about how black people continued to suffer after Emancipation. They wore their physical and emotional scars of terror and subjugation. Vintage tin type portraits at the lower right of her dress suggest a male biological relationship to the woman, with one green eye. With pen in hand she looks to rewrite her history.

Adding texture to the white surface of the canvas, then distressing with X-acto knives and nails is symbolic of the physical and emotional distress inflicted on black people. In developing a visual narrative, my paintings give a voice to generations of people who have been a part of systematic racism.
My paintings are influenced by my deep respect for the artworks by Betye Saar, Romare Bearden and Deborah Roberts.

Girl with the Pearl Earring, 24x36, Painting, 2020 This mixed media painting of the girl with the pearl earring is a modern interpretation of Vermeer's painting of the same name. She is a beautiful young black woman with dreadlocks in a white bikini bra top.

Reconstructing Lineage, SOLD 16x20, 2020

The Doctrine of Racial Division, 18x24, 2020 Systemic racism is experienced every day in this country. We as a nation rise up and say enough. Statements being made by trump have stirred his supporters to rally for white nationalism at a time that many of us are saying No More. Take down the monuments that glorify the Confederacy, remove and jail police that abuse, harass and kill black people.

Liabilities and Servitude, 9x12, 2020 (325.) mixed media on paper., I am inspired to create a narrative when I piece together images and collected paper. I am a long time collector of ephemera. I also have books and books of faces torn from magazines. A book of eyes, ears, hair, hands, faces...The letter dates to 1890, it is about the Liabilities of a Mr. J.W. William. The portrait is made up of a young man's face as well as an older gentleman, the artwork is a message about the Liabilities of Lifelong Servitude.

Love, Respect, Justice ©2021, 16x20, This painting celebrates black culture and love of one's self. Race relations come up a lot in my painting. With the rise of national and international protests, this painting illustrates a call to speak up for injustice. I am encouraged by the huge protest marches around the world.

Change Comes Slowly, 16x20, 2020 Change Comes Slowly is a mixed media painting about racism yesterday and today. White America holding people of color down by instituting laws that do not allow people to get ahead. White America inflicting their values on others.
Adding texture to the surface of the canvas, then distressing with X-acto knives and nails is symbolic of the physical and emotional distress inflicted on black people. In developing a visual narrative, my paintings give a voice to generations of people who have been a part of systematic racism.
The vintage tintype(photo) of 4 white men suggests a common goal of twiddling their hands when it comes to racial equality. The zipper represents an open and closed mind, with white flecks of paint - entering her thoughts.

Spiritual Warrior, 24x36, 2021 Her journey includes ancestors that came before her, she carries their hopes, dreams, burdens. Spiritual Warrior is about women having the strength to get through the day. No matter what comes her way, she is light, grace and gratitude and exudes hope.

16x20 2021 "Bestowed with Gifts" is a portrait of an black woman sparkling with life. The journey that is her life has it's challenges and she rises to the opportunities presented before her. The veil with white glitter to her right alludes to opportunities that come up that don't always sparkle but she is resilient just the same.

Scratching the Surface, 22x28, 2020 "Scratching the Surface is a mixed media painting about race in America. The white surrounding surface has been scratched out to get below the surface of racism in White America. Adding texture to the surface of the canvas, then distressing with X-acto knives and nails is symbolic of the physical and emotional distress inflicted on black people. In developing a visual narrative, my paintings give a voice to generations of people who have been a part of systematic racism.

Parts of her hair were created using images I took of black metal hangers and staircase in Italy.
Note: the horse( race), tunnel (vision)

Deviant Family Values, 20x24, 2020 Racism has been passed down generation to generation. Photos of politicians, actors in blackface makeup used as a costume are finally being called out for the racist connotations. We as a nation are discussing the hurt felt by people of color when they are mocked.

Resilient II SOLD ©2021, 16x20 Mixed Media Painting on Canvas LIMITED PRINTS AVAILABLE
She is captured in a serene moment, her time to look within before she faces the demands of another the day. This past year has been challenging for most people. We each deal with daily stress in our own way. This woman is reflecting on where she has been and making peace with what the future holds. The comb shields her eye from what may come.

WE, 40x30, 2019 This figurative work was inspired by the trilogy books "She, He and We" written by Robert Johnson. “We, Understanding the Psychology of Romantic Love.”
“One of the most important insights in the myth for women is the degree to which most men unconsciously search for their lost feminine side, for the feminine values in life, and attempt to find their unlived feminine side through woman.”

There is a synergy about the way this couple connects. "The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects."
This is a mixed media painting on stretched canvas.

To See is to Devour, 36"x24 2020 This mixed media on canvas, celebrates love, passion and history. It illustrates love in an earlier time when couples married with little knowledge of the other.
The vintage scalloped linen illustrates her vulva embroidered with "HIS". Vintage lace, silk, photograph, cardboard, leather, shells, canvas and gaffer tape were incorporated into this unique piece.

Clarity Was a Point Before His Eyes, 36x36, 2020 This abstract figure is a mixed media painting created using vintage men's silk dress shirt, 18th century French letter, canvas, paper,paint.

Lean Back, Exhale ©2021 20x24, Lean back is a mixed media painting of a semi-abstract reclining female figure. Lean back, but don't get lost.

The Nobility of Women and the Vices of Men, 30x40, 2020 This painting is about shared history in relationships as referenced in the whitewashed film negs. The upper corners (vintage fabric) encloses them in their story. He looks away from her as he recalls words said previously. She stands straight, somewhat regal, righteous- confident in who she is and what she wants.

Miss Coney Island ©2021, 22x28, 1915 Miss Coney Island is an abstract assemblage painting of a reclining woman...She dances to her own beat, living outside the mainstream, loved for her quirky ways. The title is a nod to the many years I lived in Brooklyn and attended the Mermaid Parade. *the parade is great fun, though more crowded today than when I used to attend and could get up close. Women and some men dress up in homemade costumes celebrating summer at Coney Island.

Love in the Time of Corona, 36x36, 2020
2020 was a year of struggle for many of us coping with the health of family and friends. This self portrait began as something quite different. It began as a portrait of a couple not facing each other- the title was to be " We don't even speak the same language anymore". I was struggling with his face. While watching a British series "The Spanish Princess" I saw a man with a birdlike mask on- commonly used during the plague in the 18th century, worn by physicians to protect them from airborne diseases. I saw an immediate connection with my painting- as I had already created her face using an advertisement in Chinese, suddenly the painting had turned a corner. His arms were created using skins shed from a common snake, and a vinyl coating from metal grating- relating to the shedding of the virus. As I mentioned this is a self portrait, the man, my husband may have had mild but deeply concerning symptoms of the Corona virus.

Girl With a Black Pearl Earring, 16x20, 2021 "Girl with a Black Pearl Earring" is my interpretation of Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring" painting.
This young black woman is confident in the road she travels- she walks the line. Her left eye keeps watch over her journey. Unlike Vermeer's painting that has a deep black background, my painting is textured, to represent the deep emotional scars people of color have.

What is There But Love ©2021 Mona Dworkin, 36x48 Detail of full painting. What is There But Love is the realization to many that getting through tough times means having love that you can depend on. During the Pandemic, love between 2 people is everything. We have our ups and downs but that person, your person is still standing by your side through the stresses of the day, weeks, years. Grateful to have my forever best friend.

Daughters of Wisdom, 36x48, 2020 "Daughter's of Wisdom" is about the connection women have with each other. Women bring personal experiences to relationships that are share freely, establishing a sisterhood. The bond stabilizes them in difficult times, offering an umbrella to share to weather difficult times.
In the left figure I incorporated parts of a 1940's silk dress with blue parasols in the neck and torso. I found the dress in an abandoned house when I was 17. The woman's blue hair is a photo I took of large tropical leaves, digitally tinting the image.

The Threads That Bind Us, 30x24, 2019 "The Threads That Bind Us" is a figurative piece about coming together. Uniting with a soulmate makes us whole. The purity and ease with which we are one with each other. How we can finish each other's sentences, know what the other is thinking. When we finally find eachother we are complete.

The Alchemy of Love and Fairy-Tale Endings, 30x24, 2019 Growing up we expect to find ever-lasting love and happiness. The young woman who carries her desire for love and happiness in the tv ( herself as a girl in the vast ocean looking to the horizon - her future.
He stands straight with an unsettled look. He leads with his sexuality, she her fairytale dream.
I am fascinated by the practice of elongating women’s necks in African and Southeast Asian cultures. (“Within Africa’s Ndebele tribe, the women of the tribe wear copper and brass rings around their necks. The rings are given to the women by their husbands and worn as a sign of faithfulness, and were once removed only after the women died”
The metallic paint(between them)is the chemistry they have together. She is holding a paper (from a 1925 music book) that states “Lover” - the “r” obscured so as not to label him as much as what they have together.

Faith, 36x24, 2019 "Faith" is about the journey we take in relationships. Plant the seed and encourage growth, represented in colorful tree. Navigating the ups and downs with an open mind and heart. The woman’s head faces 2 directions, confident of moving forward, reaffirming his commitment.
The windows represent open mind and hearts, the open gate an escape route.

Racism by Intent, Bang the Drum, 24x24, 2020 This mixed media painting on stretched canvas is about racism experienced in America. It's dark ,ugly and not so subtle. Even with his Metal of Valor he is disrespected as a black man. On the left side is a picture of flooded houses surrounded by water- Hurricane Katrina (2005) when Black lives did not matter to the Bush White House/FEMA.

Don't Let the Outside In, 30x40, 2021 2020 was a stressful year for many of us- due to the Pandemic, political unrest, racist actions, protests... This portrait of a couple is about looking away from the window filled with articles from the past year's events. At some point I was feeling overwhelmed by watching/reading the news for way too many hours in a day. It became my rallying cry to my husband to just shut it all down- we knew what was going on but at some point how many hours of the day did we really need to engage with it. The woman (me) is slowly losing it - her eye keeps an eye on him to follow her lead. I'm doing much better in 2021!