Journie Cirdain's Dream-Like Landscapes in Memento Vivere

Journie Cirdain is definitely a skilled draftsperson, as evidenced in her works in Memento Vivere at Western Exhibitions’ Chicago space. 

Church-like in format, visitors first see a central, altar-piece style work of a woman in a dream state, with flowing hair and a relaxed arm gazed upon by a lion. Holding its paw up like a curious cat, it appears that the paw might gently try to stroke the woman’s face to wake her. 

Another large-scale work presents a bouquet of both realistic and abstract flowers held by a hand. At points the artist let her arm flow freely and drew haphazard, strokes like a child attempting to draw within the lines but failing. 

All works are in gray-scale, and truthfully, hard to dislike. They’re beautiful, period.