Mana Watsky

When Joel and Ruth asked me for an artist’s statement to accompany my artwork, I had not considered the possible connections between my work and my artwork. I am a social worker in an inner city high school setting. I live every day with the chaos and pains and (sometimes) the joys of adolescents. A lot of the work I do is with a self contained special education population, comprised of students who have had little success in their academic lives, and who express little hope for their futures.
	In contrast, I have adolescents at home…three of them, ranging in age between 15 and 18. Nicholas is off to college in September, embarking on the next successful chapter of his life. Carling and Mia are also strong students, with visions and dreams for their futures.
But they do not and cannot escape the angst of adolescence, and I cannot escape the angst of parenting them………………… unless I am in my studio. Creating a piece brings me peace. My work is abstract, and non-representational. It represents chaos, order and unpredictability, and it tolerates the not knowing. Each piece is an adventure. It is one of a kind, and cannot be duplicated. Each piece is both planned and unexpected. Hmmmmmmmmmmm, I guess it is like being a mental health professional and a parent!! I hope you enjoy my ManaPrints