A work of art should arouse one’s
senses on a multitude of levels. In my own work I primarily hope to
excite the viewer through humor, color and rhythm. I work in both
acrylics and mixed media on canvas. My current focus is on ordinary
people and how they appear while passing through a particular
moment in time. What is significant is the portrayal of underlying
humor, whimsy and curiosity that these individuals evoke through
their ordinary acts.
Throughout the many years that I’ve been creating art, my
focus most often comes back to the human subject. There were the
years of interest in abstraction. Then there was the influence of a
career in textile design that moved me towards a more decorative
style. In the 90’s, I became involved in the teaching of
computer graphics. This was to have a profound influence in aiding
and developing my current style, which takes me back to the subject
of... people. I aways start at my computer, where I have stored
digital photos of favorite characters in my life. It is from this
source that I find an inspiring subject as a starting point for a
new work. In my most recent work I’ve incorporated torn
pieces of digital printouts of my subjects. The part of me that is
the “digital artist”, is very inspired by the
computer’s ability to help me manipulate my subject and its
color energy. The “fine artist” in me is then able to
pull it all together on my canvas .
My subjects often have exaggerated features and extremities, which
is intended to reinforce the sense of energy and purpose in their
act. I attempt to charge my artwork with the vibrancy of color and
movement that are derived from the action of life.