About the Art
 
      Artist Statement


“My work explores our expression of emotion through body language and the universality of the human condition.

Each of us has felt loneliness, bliss, hesitation, melancholy, joy, sensuality, etc.  My hope is that when the viewer recognizes these complex emotions in the figures that they are pulled even deeper into the experience of studying the piece, and in a sense become an active participant in defining the work.

Viewers will often create and assign a narrative to my images, imagining a story surrounding the figure that relates back to an experience they themselves have had. By engaging in this kind of dialogue with an image whose body language or emotional expression is familiar, the viewer demonstrates that the human condition is shared, that we are never really alone.”

 

 

 

 
      The Process


"My works start with either a stretched canvas or wood board.  I apply a variety of different textural materials including Plaster of Paris, concrete patch, cheese cloth, natural fibers and leaves, and a few others.  This first stage in the work is very intuitive, as every new movement with my application tools can create unexpected, dynamic new effects.  Finally, I seal the textures with multiple coats of a water-based sealant.

Next, I apply the overall coloration.  During this second stage, I use a mix of artist’s acrylic colors and a variety of tools including brushes, sponges, different textured cloths and artist trowels.  This is my favorite step in the creation of my works as I love getting lost in the rich earth tones and beautiful saturated colors.

Finally, I draw the image you see in artist’s charcoal, pastel and/or conté crayon.  These media allow me to capture the delicate, subtle nuances of shadows and highlights of the flesh."