Hope is the sound of Water lapping at my Face, Round the Sound, Bermuda, 2019, 2020
Memory Map
Paper collage and metallic ink
11 x 13 1/2 in.
This is a memory map of my 6.2 mile swim around Harrington Sound, Bermuda in 2019 with details of my trip and the summer of 2020, when I created the work. Includes the poem “Hope is the thing with feathers”, by Emily Dickenson.
2019 and 2020 were eventful and transformative years for me and I learned a lot about myself. I remain very grateful for this opportunity. This work has deep personal significance and was the first time I was aware of memory maps as capturing so much more than a single event.
Save Our Shores - 50th Anniversary Isles of Shoals Swim, August 2023
Commemorative print
Digital collage, giclee print
14 H x 11 W inches
Limited edition of 50
Commemorative print created for the inaugural SOS swim in 2023. Limited edition of 50. Sold to benefit the Blue Ocean Society for Marine Preservation. A group of solo and relay swimmers swam from the Shoals to Rye, NH State Beach in celebration of the Save Our Shores movement which prevented an oil refinery and depot from scarring the local shores and shoals 50 years ago.
For a personal twist, I swam the first double-shoals swim during this event, starting at Rye State Beach swimming to White Island and back to the beach.
“Working with Alyssa on her memory map of my swim was a unique way to capture my experience and be able to look back on it. The details I was keeping an eye out for during my swim at her request helped me soak in that day even more profoundly. Alyssa is amazing and I am grateful for the memory map she created every day!” - Amanda Smith Dakowitz
Circumnavigation of the Shoals, Amanda Smith, 2022
Memory Map
Paper collage
10 x 8 in.
Memory map of Amanda Smith Dakowitz’s 2022 swim around the Isles of Shoals off the coast of Maine and New Hampshire. Amanda shared her memories of her first on record circumnavigation of a place that she holds in her heart. She was greeted by the local wildlife and enjoyed the rocky shoreline and beautiful horizon. The outlines of the shallower waters follows Amanda’s swim track.
I often make connections between my works, so I have slipped in a particular element in this work that connects to my Light House Hat Trick logo. Amanda was my observer on my Boon Island swim.
First observed (White Is. To Wallis Sands; Boon Is. To Long Sands), 2023
Memory Map
3D Paper collage
13 1/4 H x 10 1/4 W inches
Memory map of two solo Marathon Swimmers Federation observed swims. I swam from White Island Light house, Isles of Shoals, NH to Wallis Sands, Rye, NH on 8/22/2020 and from Boon Island Light, ME to Long Sands, York, ME on 7/17/2021.
The water was behaving so differently on each of these swims so I wanted to focus on depicting the “shape” and experience of the waves and tide. The Shoals was a long nauseous slog at 4h 39m and Boon was lovely and felt so quick at 5h 20m!
Prime, 2023
Paper collage
3 1/2 H x 3 1/2 W in.
This is a work from my Swimmer’s eye view series, depicting the exquisite slice of water, waves and horizon that a swimmer glimpses with each breath. The title was a genius addition by my son, who is now the proud owner of this artwork.
The series, devised by Bob Fernald and Elaine Howley and first swum by me includes:
White Island Light, Isles of Shoals, NH to Wallis Sands, Rye, NH
Boon Island Light, Boon Island, ME to Long Sands, York, ME
The historic Boston Light swim - Boston Light, Little Brewster Island, MA to L street beach, Boston, MA
Gulf of Maine Light House Hat Trick, 2022
Logo for swim series
Paper collage and ink
7 1/2 H x 7 1/2 W inches
I wanted to make a logo for this epic series of swims, so I started in my favorite medium. I made 2 of these, both ever so slightly different but with the same details. My coach and mentor Bob Fernald was with me for each of these swims, so I presented him with his own piece to remember the effort and the first time the hat trick had been swum.
The details evoke all the memories and sensations of each swim for me blended together in a gradient from the symbolic elements specific to each swim - sailboat, seal, waves - to the shoreline changes of each unique island.
Boston Light Swim, Gulf of Maine Light House Hat Trick, August 7, 2021, 2022
Memory Map
Paper collage
30 x 30 in.
Memory map of my 8 mile swim from Boston Light House to M-Street beach in 2021 as part of the historic Boston Light swim, one of the oldest open water swims in the USA. I completed this swim as the last in a 3 swim series (Hat trick) that included the White Island Light on the Isles of Shoals, New Hampshire and the Boon Island Light on Boon Island, Maine. It was a chaotic weekend for me, evidenced by the frenetic waves and patterns in this piece. I can still feel my emotions when I look at this work.
Passage of Days, 2023
Paper collage
3 1/4 H x 3 1/4 W inches
Swimmer’s eye view inspired by many hours spent in Great Pond, Kingston, NH. There are lovely peninsulas and islands that I have come to know intimately through repetition. This body of water always has a little kick to it. A wonderful way to pass the days.
Some mulberry paper makes an interesting semi-transparent highlight.
Knowledge abounds, 2023
Paper collage
3 1/4 H x 3 1/4 W in.
The graphic-style piece was made near Christmas, but the colors were not actually intentional. I love to select birds and choose colors that compliment them. So, this little guy is a bit festive!
Books and words are symbols that follow me around and make their way in. Go figure, among other things, I studied linguistics in college.
Nubble Challenge (Swim the Gut!), 2024
Commemorative print
Digital collage, giclee print
14 H x 11 W inches
Limited edition of 150
Commemorative print celebrating the Nubble Light Challenge on its 10th anniversary. Sold to benefit the Michael Phelps Foundation, the charity of the event.
The Nubble Challenge is a 2.5ish mile swim from Long Sands, York, Maine, around cape Neddick (through the gut between the peninsula and Nubble Lighthouse), ending at Short Sands beach. It is typically swum by 150 to 200 people each year.
The event was founded by Race Director Bob Reed in honor of his son Anthony Reed (1975-2023). Other directors included the local legend Bob Fernald and Jennifer Zorn. Thanks to their efforts over $200,000 was donated to several charities over the years.
Nubble is one of my favorite open water swims as you never know what conditions you will encounter and it’s almost always “bumpy” on one side! Plus it can be very chilly - between 56 and 64 degrees F.
The Nubble Challenge logo I created in honor of the 10th Anniversary.
Metaphysical realms: water goddess, 2024
Mixed media collage assemblage
10x9 inches
I made this work for World Collage Day, May 11, 2024. I was drawn in by this goddess water-garden statue and continuing to explore my metaphysical realms series. I am intrigued by the layering of landscapes and waterscapes. As well as the combination of orange and pink. I see this goddess as mother and life-giver and the physical pouring of water representative of the cycle of life.
(Time) Passages, 2024
Memory map
Paper collage
20x16 inches
Great Pond in Kingston State Park is a beloved swim spot nearly all year round. This map is about the inevitable passage of time and repetition of activity. The orange tracks represent some of my many swims (with friends) around the pond both day and night.
metaphysical realms: the secret garden, 2024
Mixed media collage assemblage
11x8.5 inches
This secret garden contains an entire ocean! Symbols abound in this whimsical piece that depicts a mystical garden, flowing fountain, architectural elements, books, and the night sky. An antique lock and key complete the literary symbolism.
