ARTIST STATEMENT:
“Intuitive Abstractions” the title of an exhibit aptly describes both the style and process of my paintings and collage pieces.  I rarely create from concept. Creativity is not always a means to an end, especially when working in the abstract.  Often, the actual process itself dictates where the piece will go and ultimately end up.

I spent many years working as a photographer, capturing images of the world as it is.  It was through private study with a painter in Vermont that lead me to my voice in abstract expressionism and collage. I discovered rather quickly that working abstractly was the visual language that I resonated with most honestly.

There is nothing in particular that inspires or motivates a piece, but rather a sense of excitement and interior response to my immediate surroundings, followed by exploring possibilities using everything within reach – literally. 

Although it is true that I do not begin a piece with a preconceived notion of what it will become, there have been a few instances where I was inspired by specific objects.  One was a body of work based on the book, “Seeds of Contemplation” by Thomas Merton.  Another was a miniature book of Shakespeare sonnets.   Both of these works came about completely spontaneously, when faced with the object in hand.  In both cases I used the actual pages to create the work. 

Upon reflection, all art is inspired by something that already exists, whether it be a momentous life event, pages from a book, objects found in nature or manmade.  The possibilities are in fact endless. My work has been described as “lyrical, full of motion…” which is an interesting commentary given that I constantly move while creating a piece. I respond to the fluidity of the ink or the paint as it moves around the canvas.  It’s a non-rehearsed dance…

RESUME: