|
Geri Schrab ARTIST STATEMENT ""The Land is all we have...the Land and what she offers us. These pictographs and petroglyphs connect me to this Land, and that is why I paint." |
 |
||||||||
|
The focus of my artwork is the study of petroglyphs and pictographs, images pecked, carved and painted on rock
surfaces by the ancient, indigenous people of what we now know as North America. These original “rock art” images
were probably not considered art at all, but recordings of stories, journeys, hunts and visions; in essence,
the history of the People. As those of us not indigenous have adopted this Land, it is important to listen to
this history, and to learn. As more transplanted generations are born to and die on this Land, we intermingle;
it touches and teaches us. The rock art left by the ancestors is a most unique doorway to learning and
understanding this land, its true history and native people.
My travels to these sites have taken me to the Pacific Northwest and California, south to New Mexico and Arizona,
as far east as Florida, and north into the stunning Boundary Waters of Minnesota and Ontario. I've also felt
extremely honored to see and paint from many hidden images of my own beautiful state of Wisconsin.
As of this time I have visited sites in 17 U. S. States; Ontario and Australia. 2011 found Bob and I sharing
some of our favorite places with the other. In July we returned to the Boundary Waters of northern Minnesota.
Bob lead the way, paddling and portaging for nine hours on a 90 degree day. He wanted me to
see his favorite place on Lac La Croix. As sweat poured and bodies tired, I had my doubts. But when we got there
it was clearly worth the effort. The campsite was goreous. We stayed and enjoyed what I call heaven on
earth for for five days. Then in late September it was my turn to share with him. We packed the van and headed southwest.
Chaco Canyon was the destination. I had been there, he had not. We camped there four nights under a New Moon, Milky Way
sky, the kind of sky that blesses us with magic and remarkable dreams. After Chaco, we headed further west and
spent several days visiting sites near Sedona, Arizona and the Painted Desert. Next was Petroglyph National Monument
and Bandelier. It was so good to share these special places. 2011 will go down as one of my favorite travel years to date.
|
|||||||||
|
|||||||||
Back to Gallery