In my exploration of various themes and the diverse techniques within printmaking, I have developed an interest in the history of American childhood nursery rhymes, stories and songs. As in many cultures, myths and stories are often created for various purposes to serve social interests. The imagery from these children’s stories have become so deeply embedded in our culture that they have almost become iconic, serving as signifiers for the stories. Although the nursery rhymes and their imagery are evocative for many Americans, their original connotations have been lost or shifted.

These elements present an intriguing avenue for my personal and artistic investigation. I am interested in the original context of these stories, the darkness to which they allude, and the whimsical way in which we recite them to our children. The fairytales seem outwardly harmless and playful, yet there are elements of violence and cultural disillusionment entrenched throughout the verses. By playing with the evocative imagery, I am attempting to re-explore the contemporary significance of these stories in connection with their overcast history, breaking down different aspects of the rhymes to pose questions about their meanings today.