DARCIE ANNE RICHARDSON, PhD
The Mirroring Self, Mirroring Soul™ praxis and my Face-in-the-Mirror series is a depth psychological exploration of facial reflection. As the pen touches the reflective surface I ask myself what I can learn from the face that emerges? In response, I initiate different modes of expression: the drawing is often combined with art, the written word and movement. The images transpire as psyche’s expression and as a soul gift. My work is an artistic practice while also being a transformative practice. Each face promotes the autonomy of the figures that arise from internal ways of knowing. With each face, I learn how to more keenly explore interior facets of personality and aspects of being human.
My faces emerge from the mirror and speak their own languages and I translate what materializes through various mediums, and in this piece, I have used the magic of plant material to create the background textures. Although the origin of each portrait is from my reflection, the emotions that emerge are universal...sometimes timid or strong, sometimes angry or loving, these are feelings shared by humanity. Individual faces have a life of their own, each connected to the others in the same way human beings are connected to one another, one at a time. This exploration offers a special inroad to self awareness, while also offering the viewer an invitation to consider their capacity to know others.
Better Together
(Eco-print and Ink, 18” x 12”)
My renditions of the two faces in the mirror emerge as psyche's voice telling a story of the global pandemic. In this particular piece, the faces from the mirror are unified and set in a background of eco-print paper imbued with plant residue. This piece reflects the knowledge that humans need one another more than ever and that nature supports us, even in the face of a novel coronavirus and climate change.
Better Together emerges from the Faces-in-the- Mirror series as we learn the value of community and each other. The two figures are united as they navigate this unique era. These two know fear and acceptance, they know how to stay safe and together they are better than if they were alone. Their eyes are focused as life unfolds before them in the context of the continuing pandemic world.