ARTIST STATEMENT

As I quietly paint, I have both decisive moments and an earnest, listening eye. In the midst of this what occurs is chaos, serendipity, intuitive associations, nuance and reduction. For much of my work, I begin the artistic process in Photoshop creating sketches derived from parts of previous work where I play with compositions and color. Initially, each piece is laid flat while I add and subtract subtle and intense color, as well as, exploring various types of heavy texture that enhance the interaction of paint, inks or collage material. Once color and chaos are achieved across the surface, the pieces then go up on my painting wall where I begin the reduction process.

I am fascinated with the push/pull of creating civilizations and nature taking them back. The urban collages begin with an intuitive combination of handmade papers, recycled calendars & periodicals, and designs created in Photoshop that are printed on acid free paper. For the grid paintings I begin by taping off the areas of the surface that interest me to begin the formation of urban streets as I build the composition between positive and negative space. The urban botanicals focus more on the relationship between natures relentless botanical growth in the nooks and crannies of urban architecture. The making of these paintings & collages is as much a physical experience as an emotional one. I embrace and process the nuances of this work and use the outcome as a vehicle to communicate a narrative about humanity in flux with the natural world that exists outside of language.