The Door Surround is a sculptural entity that has been in my sketchbook for…dare I say it.…decades, one that speaks to the twin realities of welcome and protection; it calls to those on the outside and beckons them in: it reminds those on the inside that it is a safe and friendly place to dwell. This seemed the perfect time to bring the Surround to life.

And only now, with the work complete do I sit before it and reflect on the shapes and natural elements and their meaning. The oversized leaves at the bottom convey strength and a secure foundation. I like irises and wanted to include them, but only now realize they, with their tall thin stems and leaves, in the language of myth, speak about wisdom and courage. All of that upward movement leads to the warm hug of the wave, gently beckoning in with the light and twinkle of the mosaic line beneath. In sharp contrast are the branches, wild hands of welcome from those inside. And finally. if legends are to be believed, the delicate native violets at the very top are bearers of intuition and dreams, spirituality and imagination.

Only now do I take time to discover words to wrap around it… This was our gift to the community in those days of solitude and quarantine.. something to surprise and uplift and delight as you go by 242.