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"Just Before" references the atmosphere that happens as a storm approaches. Just before the storm begins, the wind starts blowing, leaves move in the air, and the clouds grow dark, creating shadows on the land. I always bring an element of personal history to my work. In this piece, it’s the memory of rushing to help my grandmother get the laundry down from the clothes line, before the first drops of rain fell.
Conceptually, “Just Before” references a time of slow change for me. I had only been married for four years when I painted this piece. Having never thought I would get married, I was struggling to find the balance between being an artist and a wife. I knew that I didn’t want to be a traditional wife like my grandmother. I wanted to be free from the expectations of society and family as I navigated this new path. Discovering what my role would be and the compromises that were made while doing so, was present in my mind during the making of this piece."
- Terri Kern