Bio

REBEKAH YOUNGER

Born 1955 - New Haven, CT

My art over the past 30 years has taken many forms from realist paintings, woodcuts, knitted art to wear and now photography, video and digital mixed media.

In 1988, I started Younger Knits, which is still my main source of income today. My knit and dyed garments are carried by galleries nationwide and in some of the finest craft shows on both coasts. They have been exhibited in art wear exhibits in museums in the San Francisco and Boston area, as well as featured in magazines like Ornament, Fiberarts, Threads and The Crafts Report.

I am self-taught as a photographer, using the camera as an art tool from the start. I used my photographs of urban life as reference for realistic paintings in the 70's and 80's. Later work incorporated my photographs in the form of color Xeroxes into mixed media paintings. While building my knit business, I art directed the fashion shoots that documented my work for jury slides. These images were compelling enough to be featured on the cover of Ornament in 1999 and The Crafts Report in 2006, as well as, show announcements and ads for many major craft shows on both coasts.

In February 2006, I took up the camera, as an art medium in its own right. Recovering from heart bypass surgery, I sought a less physically demanding medium than knitting or painting. I photographed the floral bouquets sent by well-wishers. Capturing the light, color and ephemeral nature of the flowers reconnected me with the world and spoke to my own fragile nature.

My artistic and spiritual journeys have been linked for over 20 years. In 1999, I was ordained as a non-sectarian minister. In my statement of intention I dedicated my ministry to the unfolding of the creative process within a community practice. I was ordained by a church, Unity of the Spirit, which taught that all paths within the great mystical traditions lead to spirit. I realized soon after ordination though, that while all paths may lead to spirit, one must commit oneself to a path to get there. Since my early years in college I resonated with the truths of Buddhism. In 2002, I took refuge in the Buddha, the dharma (teachings) and the sangha (community) as a Shambhala Buddhist.

Buddhism, through the practice of meditation, is an investigation of the nature of reality based on personal experience and examination of one's own mind. As I become intimate with my own mind and the root of my suffering I have found within me a compassionate heart growing in my dedication to easing the suffering of others. To this end, my art practice is deeply rooted in seeking out what is real, in celebrating the magic in ordinary life and in reaching out to others with the hope that my work may offer happiness and peace in some way.

I am trained as a Shambhala Art teacher. This program based on the teachings of Chӧgyam Trungpa Rinpoche explores the creative process as a meditative practice and a means to wake oneself up to things as they are. Through non-aggression, both towards oneself and others it is possible to create work that opens the mind of both the maker and the viewer.

I completed a MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts at Goddard College, with a focus on contemplative art, Buddhism and photography/video/installation in February of 2009. My studio/home is in the countryside township of Woolwich, ME. I live there with artist/furniture maker/engineer husband, Guy Marsden and our cat, Maxx.