ART BY Irish Brooke      artist cv   Connections II Out of the Sea Hold Me Erda, Earth Mother First Wo/Man Hubbub Love       Artist's statement I call my work Connection Art because I paint about those important, deep characteristics that are fundamental to and connect all human regardless of race or time. Connection Art explores those deeply important characteristics such as love, family, shelter, play, exploration... The Indian in his robes standing on the banks of the River Ganges feels awe, just as we do when we stand in our jeans and t-shirts on the edge of the Grand Canyon; the enemy we face across the sea feels fear, just the same as we do, and mothers all over the world feel contentment as they suckle their babies. These are the facts that move me to paint, pointing to the connections by using universal figures in universal, timeless scenes. Most of my representation is therefore iconic, not superficial. I paint primarily from the gut - the head following later. I rarely plan or sketch out a painting before approaching the canvas with the appropriately felt-out color. After that, the work becomes a dialogue between the canvas, the paint and me. It is only in the later stages of this dialogue that cognition plays a fuller role. My fundamental Connectionist view of the world has been strongly reinforced by my international experiences. I have reflected and absorbed while traveling in Europe, North America and Asia. I create from the visual arts across the world. I have lived, worked, painted and exhibited in the United Kingdom, the United States of American and Canada. It is out of this living, traveling and reflecting that my paintings arise. ...