April 2022
Doors have always fascinated me. Some are plain, some are ornate, some are colourful and some are not. What they all do is protect the people who live behind them. Sometimes they keep danger out, sometimes they keep it in. In the past, I have done door pieces based on photos I have taken in my travels. Some doors close to home and some far afield. They all have a story. Unless you have an opportunity to cross the threshold or meet the people who live there you can only guess at what happens behind the door.
Doors for me are a metaphor for people. Our face is the door that can put on a smile or a frown. Time and money are spent to keep many faces looking younger, prettier and healthier. The facade we present to the world only really hints at what is actually happening behind the face. Emotions such as happiness, anger, depression, joy, delight, and annoyance can be very evident. What is creating those emotions is sometimes apparent, but sometimes not clear at all. Humans often hide their true feelings from each other in an effort to protect themselves or the people around them.
Life’s experiences shape who we are and how we think. Everyone’s experiences are different. Children in the same family can have very different memories of their childhood. Life is full of challenges to be sure. How you deal with those challenges behind your door can lead to a happy life or one that is less than joyful.
The art piece attached to this blog post is a fabric and paper collage. The door is from a photo that I took when Bob and I visited Portugal in 2020. I have no idea who lived here but the door was very well looked after, hinting at someone who cared about the image they displayed to the world. The building was stucco and very old so the door stood out and appeared welcoming. What goes on behind that door is anyone’s guess.
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