Wednesday, December 27

"Still Tilting at Windmills"
"Tilting at Windmills" © Mary Becker Weiss

From "Don Quixote" by Miguel de Cervantes, wherein protagonist Don Quixote fights windmills that he imagines to be giants:

Just then they came in sight of thirty or forty windmills that rise from that plain. And no sooner did Don Quixote see them that he said to his squire, "Fortune is guiding our affairs better than we ourselves could have wished. Do you see over yonder, friend Sancho, thirty or forty hulking giants? I intend to do battle with them and slay them. With their spoils we shall begin to be rich for this is a righteous war and the removal of so foul a brood from off the face of the earth is a service God will bless."

"What giants?" asked Sancho Panza.

"Those you see over there," replied his master, "with their long arms. Some of them have arms well nigh two leagues in length."

"Take care, sir," cried Sancho. "Those over there are not giants but windmills. Those things that seem to be their arms are sails which, when they are whirled around by the wind, turn the millstone."

"Exploration"
"Exploration" © Mary Becker Weiss
© Mary Becker Weiss

"Exploration" and "Still Tilting at Windmills" were inspired by Roger Majorowicz' breathtaking welded steel sculptures and created as an homage to his beautiful and exhilarating work.

In a tribute to Mr. Majorowicz, a family member said, "Roger brought passion to every thing he did, whether it was building floats for the 4th of July parade, retracing the steps of an 18th century explorer through Central America, raising geese or day lilies, collecting antique axes or tending his huge vegetable garden.

His wish was that he would be remembered by his family and friends when they make or buy a piece of art, visit a gallery or a museum, or give a word of encouragement to an artist. At his core, Roger was an artist. He believed that art captured the meaning of life and made the world a better place."

Friday, October 13

Metta evokes within a warm-hearted feeling of fellowship, sympathy and love which grows boundless with practice.

"IMAGINE THE POSSIBILITIES”
© Mary Becker Weiss

"Metta evokes within a warm-hearted feeling of fellowship, sympathy and love which grows boundless with practice and overcomes all social, religious, racial, political and economic barriers. Metta is a universal, unselfish, all embracing love."

Thursday, May 18

“In Balance/Imbalance” : Maine Arts Journal : Summer 2023

“Delicate Balance 2023” 
© Mary Becker Weiss
Dye sublimation print 24”x18”

“Though my intentions have remained constant, my work has dramatically evolved through the years. When I first started simple non-objective drawings in 2010, I was determined to create something that no one had seen before. I was motivated by Robert Mapplethorpe’s, “I'm looking for the unexpected. I'm looking for things I've never seen before.” Hah! I do admit that some of my early yawps are still floating around out there…!

It took me a while to get there, but the unpredictability of the outcome, particularly with my abstracts, is one of the most exciting aspects of what I do. I grew up in the military where everything was clearly defined and delineated. Everything was black or white. No gray. No play. No creativity or “interpretation.”

It took me years to unlearn that rigid structure, to let go of the reins in my artwork and in my life. As I relinquished my obsession for precision, balance and control, surprises came my way. At first, it was frightening to let go, but now I have learned to embrace the unexpected and its perfect imbalance, exhilarating imperfection!” ~ Mary Becker Weiss

“In Balance/Imbalance”
and UMVA Members Exhibition 
Portland Media Center
Portland ME
Summer 2023
Early Works
“Voice of the Turtle” 
and “Queen of Everything”
 © Mary Becker Weiss 

Monday, October 3

UNDAUNTED : Mary Becker Weiss

Assemblage : "Undaunted" © Mary Becker Weiss
"Undaunted" 
Assemblage of Antiques, Ephemera 
and Found Objects
© Mary Becker Weiss

“Do not let your fire go out, spark by irreplaceable spark in the hopeless swamps of the not-quite, the not-yet, and the not-at-all. Do not let the hero in your soul perish in lonely frustration for the life you deserved and have never been able to reach. The world you desire can be won. It exists. It is real. It is possible. It is yours.” ~ A. Rand