#29 in the Meet the Artists Who Have Inspired Us to Part with Our Cash series is Francine Strauss. Of her art, she writes, "I began creating art later in my life. The act of creating takes me to some other place within. A journey of sorts to places that, for me, are both strange and full of wonder.

My work is about dreams and nightmares, fears and joys. It is about memory and those things we wish to remember, but have no way of knowing how to remember. It is about everything we will never be able to understand, but wish to."

Francine’s Totem Dolls remind me of ritual artifacts discovered in some far off land. They seem imbued with a mysterious power and presence that I find utterly delightful. Click thumbnail to view larger image.

You can view more of Francine’s works, including works on paper, at http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/yourgallery/artist_profile/francine+strauss/5591.html