Artist Statement

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Words about my work do not come easily. I do not speak or write much about it, I do not have a "vision", and, while I care deeply about the profound issues facing our world, such as racism, violence, poverty, loneliness etc., I do not have any specific message that I am trying to convey. The first reason I go to my studio is the almost primal need to create something that will record on paper or canvas what I have observed and loved, what has moved me and this, for myself! And then I hope that, if my work is successful at all, it will bring to others a moment of joy, beauty, and a sense of wonder or surprise.

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One of my main sources of inspiration lies in the awesomeness of nature, especially seen and observed from very close: my eyes are always on the move, finding excitement from the lacy details of a dragonfly‘s wing to the dots, flecks, specks, the artful unevenness of stripes and marks found in some plants, flowers, insects or animals. 

Also, I have always had a profound love and admiration for the awesome art of indigenous cultures whether here or far away and these have had a substantial impact as well. 

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My studio is a repository for found bits and pieces of leaves, twigs, shells, seeds, rocks, feathers, insects, bird legs, egg shells, etc. Surrounded by this “museum of the strange” and in total solitude and silence, I work intuitively, marking and layering my board, paper or canvas. I begin with only a vague idea of color or shape and then follow where the work leads me. It is a dance between the work and me, but, at times, more like a combat with exchanges of punches! 

 

Among the many painters I admire are, “les Nabis” (Vuillard, Bonnard, etc.) and Henri Rousseau, Matisse, Rouault, Joan Brown, Matta, Tapies, and Twombly, to name a few. To this list I have to add another great love of mine, outsider artists or raw art. My former work as a contemporary art quilt maker in the 70's and 80's is also certainly not far in the background.