Retablos are portable spiritual forms (on wood or metal) of folklore that recall situations, miraculous deeds, or holy imagery in which a particular saint is remembered.  They are used in displays, such as shrines or altars, to honor and express devotion or gratitude.

My Retablos are vibrantly colored oil paint and gold leaf on aluminum. They grow in size from 6"x 6" to 9.5" x 11" and have holes in the corners so they could be nailed to a structure (like a wall or a box.) Each Retablo depicts a stage in my coming of age story.  A stage does not end to make room for the next; each stage remains present and contributes in making up a whole person.  The writing that twists around the edges is written in a voice that is appropriate to its stage, things written earlier and left unchanged.

Baby :: Darling :: Brat :: Hostage :: Scholar :: Gifted :: Saint :: Workhorse :: Woman

I will be using these Retablos as instigators, like chapter plates as if in a book, for the unfolding illustrative story "My Gamma Waves."  The Retablos become contemporary avatars, and offer distinct voices and experiences.  This forthcoming project references the illuminated manuscripts (Gospels) of the 7th and 8th centuries.  The manuscripts were extravagantly designed with elaborate knotting and intricate patterns, very much like the stories they aimed to preserve.  I attempt to do the same, that is, weave together accounts.