The choice of subjects for this, my first exhibit, “Mischief Makers,” emerged from the storm of corruption that followed the most recent change of high office in this country.

In an attempt to confront the collapse and disintegration of morality being played out for us day after day, I painted portraits of people, most of whom I have known personally, who, with tenacity, courage, intelligence, risk taking and resilience have made another kind of social change. Through direct action and a willingness to accept suffering, but never to inflict it, they have confronted pernicious bodies of power.  Some have taken life-threatening risks, others have suffered discomfort, humiliation, separation from and fear for friends and family.  All have rejected violence as their means to an end.

The added element, which is often buried under the weightiness and dedication to positive change, is mischief -- the coyote element, imaginative trickery, slyness, the shenanigans that give a movement its soul, confound the oppressor and create laughter and music.

I have always drawn animals, flowers, people - and continue to sketch cartoons, right and left handed and even upside down. It was, however, when I began painting with acrylics that I began to immerse myself in the process.  I am so grateful to those who have steered my course of painting discovery - specifically my essential teachers, artists Jylian Gustlin and Ona LeSassier and to Liz Amini-Holmes who introduced me to acrylics.

Working with the faces of these “Mischief Makers,”  people I have so loved and admired, has been especially gratifying and seeing them displayed all together makes a statement that speaks louder than words.

- Joan Baez, September, 2017