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Original Watercolor Paintings

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Asking the Mask a Few Questions

March 29, 2014 · Leave a Comment


Where did you come from – this mask of mine? Are you planning on staying long? What purpose do you serve? Can I see underneath? How many others do I allow to peek? 


When you showed up was I aware of your coming or did you slide slowly onto my face as lichen attaches to shale living out it’s life near a stream? 


Does your crust build up until all that is me becomes flat and featureless? Or are you so thinly layed down that the slightest breeze produces puffs of me floating on air? Perhaps our husks wax and wane according to circumstance? 

Today I honor this mask of mine however it came into being. It is born of me. It is a real appendage. It is made in my image and faces forward out into the world.

Whether I chose this mask or it just happened upon me, now that I am conscious of it’s being I can use it how I like when I like and where I like. For it is part of who I am…and who I am not.

What purpose does your mask serve?

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Lani received a B.F.A from Virginia Commonwealth University in 1986 and earned a B.A in Art Education from NCCU in 2000.
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