My paintings have been described as a "visceral naturalism." The act of painting for me is an active approach, not only in realizing my "visions" of nature, as I call them, but to make the process of painting a physical investigation into the properties and actual movement of paint on a surface. Many times the imagery that is left as the "finished" work is the bi-product of those concepts, which is shaped by the sensations that I had for a place. I am interested in painting what I cannot see, but only feel. I will bend and manipulate the essence of nature into something that is absolutely unique. I truly believe that it is the true calling of an artist "to make seen what cannot be seen."
Much of my work starts with a glimpse of an action or stream of light or flash of color. I use them as mental "snap-shots" to later record as an image in my studio. I like to think about duality in nature. I am drawn to contrasts in light, color, shape and field. I like to show the bold as it is balanced with the soft, the dense versus the airy and light versus the dark. The content of my paintings are informed by all things surrounding me in a place- the bird song, rushing water, blowing wind, like symphony sound and the warm light as it dances through the trees. These are some of the lenses that I rely on for my imagined spaces. There is an evolution or growth that occurs while painting. I try to capture a moment when one thing can relate to another, to create a synergy of parts that creates a harmonious "restrained chaos."
Oil on paper on canvas 50"x 37"
Oil on paper on canvas 60"x 65"
50"x 37" Mixed Media on paper on canvas