ARTIST'S STATEMENT:

My art arises from what I see; then it is transformed by my imagination. I almost always alter the colors; for this I am labeled a “colorist.” I revise the placement of objects, editing until I have what I judge to be a pleasing design. Often the whole painting emerges from my imagination. Rarely do I begin with a photograph, although I may use reference material to check my initial drawing. My paintings have been moving away from copies of visual reality toward works of the imagination that I could call fantasy.

In addition to color, I love pattern and line; many objects in my paintings have patterns on them. Influences include American Indian, native South African, Gaelic, and Middle Eastern designs. Occasionally, the whole painting becomes an elaborate pattern of lines and shapes. Some of my works are “non-objective,” but more often my art is what I call semi-abstract or semi-representational. That is to say, I transform or ignore the visual reality as I create imagined places, figures, or objects from my personal choice of colors, patterns, lines, and shapes. Increasingly, I am moving toward paintings that might be described as “dream-like.”

A recent focus in my art is “texture.” Sometimes this is achieved by painting over a collage of papers or by using a variety of “tools.” The tools consist of anything I find that will make various marks or patterns in the applied paint, from combs to bottle caps to items designed for artists who want to create texture. I generate additional texture by the use of stamps to place images (sometimes overlapping) within the painted surface of the paper. I am delighted when someone asks, “How did you do that?” This question suggests that the unusual surface is appealing.

As I advance in my work, I hope to achieve more layers of meaning and greater complexity of surface and design than I had previously. Increased use of my imagination adds an element of mystery to my work. Indeed, I find the creative process very mysterious; what comes from my mind onto my painting always surprises me. I too ask, “How did I do that?” “Where did that come from?” I can no longer predict what the product of my imagination will be.

As I strive for depth and complexity of surface, I use more than just paint to create my work of art. In addition to watercolors, gouache, and/or acrylics (all watermedia), I may use various papers, ink, Caran d’Aches crayons, and/or compressed charcoal. Such works are labeled “mixed media.”

I am an artist who likes to experiment with new ideas and tools. I do not repeat the same methods or subjects as some artists choose to do. I am constantly learning. Consequently, this statement about my art will change. Please come back from time to time for updates.