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Our work is a result of collaboration, not just in the conceptual sense, but working side by side on the same canvas.

"Our work is the result of collaboration, not just in the conceptual sense, but working side by side on the same canvas. We began creating together in this way while working on the peace line in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The peace line is a wall that divides neighborhoods between protestant and catholic. We were facilitating art and reconciliation workshops along with creating a commissioned piece of art for Forthspring Community Center that bridges the wall. We found that creating art in this way is much like reconciliation. It is a process of listening, respecting, being authentic with one another and trusting. There is also a shared balance of power at all times. One person may be making a decision about what stroke and where, but that has nothing to do with the "power". The power remains balanced. We have created paintings that neither of us would have created alone. When we look at our results, we see our individual selves have not been lost. We see both our styles and ideas present but also something more. It is so satisfying that we can hardly describe it. We talk a little during the Process, but most of it is worked out in nonverbal communication with the other. One thing I have noticed is that we don't paint over or paint out something the other has put down without letting the idea (or stroke or color) live for a while and seeing how it fits into the whole. When we have learned all we can from the painting we are working on, together we move onto the next to begin a new dialogue."