I begin my paintings outside in nature. There, I am influenced by the all the elements. Being at the site allows me to deeply experience the nature as I am painting it.
My subjects are thoughtfully chosen to reflect certain feelings. The paintings are composed to draw the viewer deeply into the painting, so they may also experience this natural world.
I am interested in how humans affect nature and how nature seems defy human touch. Often, I am attracted to the powerful twisty forms of old oaks, orchards and vines. I admire their ability to live through the elements – droughts, storms, and great temperature differences. And, the delicate beauty of a wildflower and grasses can have equal allure. For me these beings possess a power beyond our human understanding.
The openness of certain natural environments is another subject for my paintings. Conveying wild open space – infinity – has been a theme for quite some time.
My paintings are completed in the studio. At this point, I work from memory and feeling. As the work evolves, it often changes from the original scene, taking on its own life. There is a deep connection to the place of each painting that remains with me.
I try to keep my materials close to nature, using high quality oil paints ground from pigments and linseed oil.
I wish for my paintings to bring the viewer‹¨«s attention and consciousness closer to this most important subject – nature and the environment – in a way they may not have previously experienced.