Dorr Bothwell in her studio, painting the letter G as the Sacred Spiral that links microcosm and macrocosm. Inner Meaning of the Alphabet, Series 2. Photo by Bill Foote (1965).
The Letters C and D: Generation
The Letters C and D: Generation by Dorr Bothwell (1966). Inner Meaning of the Alphabet (3rd Series). Oil on canvas. Here the letters C and D are twinned fruitful wombs, each cradling a yinyang, the traditional Chinese symbol representing the dynamic balance of yin and yang, opposites from which the universe continually creates itself. Together the paired letters form a circle, perhaps the oldest symbol of divine perfection. Private collection. Photo: Kelly Hendrix.
The Letter I: Completion
The Letter I: Completion by Dorr Bothwell (1966). Inner Meaning of the Alphabet (3rd Series). Oil on canvas. “Completion” shows the letter I with a human eye at its center. Since ancient times, the eye has been a symbol of healing and completion. Here the letter I is enclosed in an Omega, the last letter in the Greek alphabet. Omega is symbol of completion, in part because its position, completing the Greek alphabet, and because Omega is the counterpart of our letter O, which is a circle, an ancient symbol representing the the perfection of God, from which nothing can be subtracted, and nothing can be added. Private collection. Photo: Kelly Hendrix.
WATCHWORDS
Watchword: Joy
Watchword: Joy by Dorr Bothwell (1964). Serigraph. Private collection.
Watchword: Peace
Watchword: Peace by Dorr Bothwell (1964). Serigraph. Private collection.
Watchword: Love
Watchword: Love by Dorr Bothwell (1964). Oil on canvas (42″ x 48″). Private collection.
