For the Brooklyn Art Library’s Sketchbook Project 2011, I drew and wrote about caring for my mother, Alice, through Alzheimer’s Disease. You can see the sketchbook on their site: http://arthousecoop.com/users/danawalrath . Because there is no place for dialogue with people outside of the project on that site, I’ve entered the Land of Blog. I’ll be writing about each of the images individually in the weeks to come. For now, here’s the sketchbook in its entirety. I used pencil and cut text (from Alice in Wonderland) to make the images. Some pages include cut paper and colored pencil too.
Alice
Disappearing Alice
None is Hard to Draw
Missing Parts
Flight
Alice Ungrounded
Aliceheimer’s
Apples are Better
Up
Fairy Pirates
New Friends
Sublimerierung und Selbstverachtung
Sundowning
Light, Years, Later
Umbilicus
Because You Are My Mother
Falling Slowly
The Lobster Quadrille
Through the Looking Glass
Alice’s Wonderland
Before Wonderland: Armenian School, NYC, Circa 1944
Drink Me
Curioser and Curioser
A Mad Tea Party
I’m Opening Up Like the Largest Telescope That Ever Was
Who Are You?
Magnificent, Dana! Each picture brings the viewer to a deeper understanding. Poignant and beautiful. Kudos!!
Fantastic! You’ve jumped right on it. I love the site.
Dana–this is just amazing and wonderful. Thank you so much for sharing this.
xoK
Thanks so much for your kind words, Kathi, Sonia and Sarah. More blog posts on the way!
Dana, you made me laugh and cry all over again remembering, remembering. This is beautiful work, important work. We must remember and write and draw for those who can’t. Love you and sending you all my best…Maureen
Thanks so much, Maureen. Writing and drawing for those who can’t is such a beautiful way to put it. Love to you too,
Dana
I just found this thanks to Kathi and I’m absolutely bowled over. Wonderful work. So touching. Utterly original and rich. Thank you.
Just amazing words and sketches… a wonderful way for all to process such a complex experience. I want to meet alice !
rita
Thank you for your kind words, Rita and Andrea. Art gives a way into complexity letting the unexpected co-exist on a single page.
It’s so nice to hear about her princess image!
Yes. With the loss there should be liberation!!
Dana, I’ve looked and looked again at your Alzheimer’s series. I don’t know any series of images about the kind of “disappearance” that happens with this disease that is as strong, original and affecting as your sketchbook. And I’ve looked at lots of art about this subject and made a series of images myself from the days when my mother was similarly ill- with Alzheimers.
As artwork, these sketches are teaching me something about sequences and narrative pictures. They are enormously instructive on many levels. Thank you.
Thank you Elly, both for taking so much time with these images and for your kind words. It is interesting that images (of all things) can capture disappearance, that is if they are in a series. I am looking forward to seeing your work from the days of your mother’s life with Alzheimer’s. I can imagine thier power.
with every best wish,
Dana
Dana,
It’s wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks so much, Jean! You are one who knows about inspiration and the power of art.
with every best wish,
Dana