The deep parts of my life pour onward,

As if the river shores were opening out.

It seems that things are more like me now,

That I can see further into paintings.

I feel close to what language can’t reach….. Rainer Maria Rilke

A friend told me once that the heart has no language, no words. Words come from the head, the heart only feels.

On September 11, 2001, during the terrorist attacks, my airline flight from London to Chicago was grounded in Gander, Newfoundland. I was one of thousands of “plane people” or “stranded yanks” as we became known. Five days later we reboarded and in those profound and life altering days I thought about my upcoming art exhibition scheduled for spring 2002.

My show was connected to the recent illness and death of my mother in early 2000 and to my MFA graduation in August later that year. As part of the show, I had planned four paintings to tell the story of my time caring for my mom. 9/11 provided me with new insight about how I wanted to communicate to a larger audience…instead of abstraction, I would tell my story with realism.

“Images and Inscriptions” is my multi media display, interweaving drawing, woodcut prints, carved wood and oil painting…all born out of loss and renewal, grief and strength, and the power of art and love.

BARBARA GROH

BARBARA GROH