I have always enjoyed drawing and painting. As a boy, I was inspired by my mother and grandfather, both of whom were recreational painters. I was also inspired by the art of comic books, and started drawing figures and portraits as a result. Although I dabbled with drawing and painting for years, I never took formal training, and really only began to focus more on painting in my 40s. At that time, I painted where I could – a closet, and extra bedroom, and even a dank basement. In 1998, my wife and I built a new home complete with a detached studio. Having access to a real studio made a huge difference both in terms of the amount of time I could spend painting and the quality of the effort. Also, I am very fortunate to have been able to retire at the end of 2009, so I’d like to think I now have the time and state of mind to more deeply pursue my art.
Much of my work reflects an attempt to synthesize primal energetic flow with the visceral experience of enduring serenity. Despite the perpetual tension between the two, they are defined by one another – each giving meaning to the other. Both elements reach their height when they are both clearly and powerfully present in the same subject.
I like to start my paintings by trying to first sense and then capture the energetic flow underlying the phenomenal perception. I then apply layers of paint – often transparent or semi-transparent – over the energetic representation to capture the subject. In that way, the underlying energy radiates through and enlivens. In turn, the tranquility in the subject harmonizes and brings the energetic ground into a quiet stillness. Lately, I’ve been using oil pastels to add some brilliant accents of color to the canvas that brings it’s own energy
The ability to ascertain the underlying energetic flow in any subject is of course a life-long endeavor, and believe I am very much at the beginning of that journey. So, as I pursue my art I will be trying to both refine my energetic senses as well as my ability to better represent the harmonization of energy and tranquility in my work. And, if I can create and share a little magic along the way, so much the better.
But most of all, I hope my art reflects my deep sense of appreciation and gratitude for the world we are blessed to constantly experience in new and startlingly fresh ways.