One way to describe my process is to say that I tend to be inconsistent. Outwardly, the works that I create seem to be very different. Some are very peaceful and subtle, some are highly contrasted and agitated, some remain conflicted and others feel fully resolved, some are more representative and some are more abstract.

What is consistent about the process is that I continuously try to reach within myself and create works that are honest and reflect many levels of attitudes and emotions. I am seduced by form, color, texture, patterns, glitter, sparkle, beads, found objects, textiles, beautiful paper, interesting materials. Influences come from many directions: folk art, travel, calligraphy, old and new masters, traditional approaches and experimental attitudes. A desire to break away from old forms, mix materials. Nature’s predictability and surprises, change of seasons, optimism, and destruction. Dissatisfaction with doing what is easy and struggling with what is difficult. Responding to events. Being evocative and elusive, but not descriptive.

I love to juxtapose elements in my work and I delight to find a whole which is greater than the parts. As I search for more explanation of my work, the word seasonal comes to mind. My interests and feelings seem to follow patterns of growth and expansion of thinking.

A consistent element in most of the works is the willingness to stretch and go beyond an area of comfort. In my attempt to deepen the content of my work and connect it to feelings that are personal, but also universal, some interesting questions surfaced. What is true, what is false, how do we know? I found these ideas intriguing.

Being overwhelmed by events that affect our lives, I look for clarity and balance through my work. the eperimental process allows me to explore and come up with forms that are new to me and can help me be more expressive.

-Ilana Tauber