Palette Knife Abstractions:
I find the most attractive aspect of art to be the process in which it is created. I am very interested in the physicality of paint and the interaction it can have with the canvas. When approaching the canvas I do not envision an end product, rather, I look to create a dialogue between my instinctual self and the media through color and texture. I thrive on being in the moment and allowing each mark to respond to the one before. The push and pull of positive and negative space play a major role in the desired outcome. The beautiful thing about this outcome is that it is unique in itself and cannot be recreated at a later time. I work a painting until satisfied with the amount of exploration, often bringing them back from ruin or pushing them further into it. Trees: The image of a tree is often associated with new life, growth, and age-old wisdom. It is my intent to illustrate these characteristics in this body of work. With each painting I want to communicate the persona of a specific tree to the viewer through form. For this reason I often take away the leaves and structurally insignificant branches allowing the tree’s naturally organic composition to be a dominant focus. The persona is also reflected through brushwork and color, which is used in unison to emphasize shape, dimension, and texture. Photography: I strive to create an atmosphere of beauty and simplicity in my photographs. This is achieved by the push and pull of positive and negative space, lighting and often close proximity to the subject. |