Artist Statement:
Painting, for me, has increasingly become a search for the true essence of a setting, whether it be a local favorite field or a captivating still life arrangement. A uniquely lit field with a radiant sky, a little-known pond or lake, or collection of items with a thought-provoking past will capture my attention every time.
The initial energy that I feel for a particular subject begins with exploring the lights and darks of the setting. I devote an ample amount of time on this stage, because this is where the memory of what I've seen resides. Working in a mostly limited palette lets me gradually work towards the color harmony in my paintings. Working in oils feels like a natural fit for my purposes, as the ability to add and remove layers throughout my process provides me with endless opportunities for dimension and depth.
Faithfully copying what I see is not my objective: I let my instincts usher me through this fulfilling process. Since intuition plays a large role in all stages of my work, I find it difficult to conceptualize the exact final image. Even towards the more finished stages, the very last energized strokes can be a complete surprise.
|
