This watercolor kaleidoscope was painted in the few days following the Sept. 11th attack on the World Trade center towers. I was taking a watercolor Master's Class with Betsy Dillard Stroud. Our class was on the day following the disaster. We sat in a circle and talked about our feelings and the effect it had on us and our families. As I listened to each student express their feelings and shock I discovered that, even though we were all from different faiths and backgrounds, we still shared a common bond in our patriotism and belief in a higher being.
At the end of the discussion Betsy assigned us to paint some of our feelings about 9/11 for the next weeks class. I thought for a few days about the assignment before I decided to express my feelings through a kaleidoscope.
The center depicts the debris from the flaming towers. But, even though we were attacked, we still are the strength of the world. That is represented by the flames turning into arms holding up the world. The stars and stripes and eagles represent our patriotism and love of our country. The book of scriptures and glow represent our belief in a higher power that watches over us and gives us faith.
