About the Series BIGGER PRIORITIES The “Bigger Priorities” paintings evolved from the photo collages “Priority Series” created in 2004. The latter began when I came across an etching I had done from my photograph of children playing on a boat-like structure in a park. I was struck by the level of cooperation and harmony in their play. It inspired me to focus on both their incredible potential (and what adults can learn from them) and their psychological and physical fragility in today’s world. The children are from photographs taken during my travels. My most exhilarating experiences on these trips were with rural children whose radiance and purity were overwhelming. I have put them in the arch-like settings that suggest sanctuary though there are also bars. The shadow figure could be a guardian but could also be seen as threatening. Stable, appropriate environments for raising children have become less common in today’s complex world so my journey from “priority” to “bigger priorities” may soon lead to a series with “biggest priority” in the title. About the Artist Contact Back About_the_Artist_B.htmlmailto:marsha@marshatorkelson.com?subject=Your%20ArtBigger_Priorities.htmlBigger_Priorities.htmlshapeimage_1_link_0shapeimage_1_link_1shapeimage_1_link_2shapeimage_1_link_3