About the Work
It's hard to pin down how a painting finds its way forward, except to say that I approach each one with the same curiosity I have for any new place - with eyes open, always looking for what might happen next. Yet somehow there's also a lot of groping around in the dark, with intentions getting re-routed, or scrapped altogether before the lights come back on.
I imagine Muses have been messing with artists since before the caves of Lascaux, and given the Muse job description - namely, making magic happen - I fully understand
their need to have some fun!
Now... the imagery that unfolds as I'm working alludes to open-ended stories, simple observations, or some combination. I've been calling the style Folk Fusion, or Abstract Narrative, if someone asks. I don't try to push a painting or drawing in any particular direction until well into the process, but I do take inspiration from daily life, which often involves interaction with the plants and animals around my home.
For instance, a stand-off between my dog and the barn cat that runs under the porch might turn into a composition, though never literally.
More likely the scene
lurks in the background of my thoughts -
then it pops up, unconsciously creeping into the image in some way.
About Me
I've been working in the arts professionally for... let's say... a very long time. After completing an MFA, I worked in clay for 20 years before beginning to paint in earnest. The rich surfaces I fell in love with through developing glazes still make me crazy with happiness as they've found their way into my paintings. I have a full time studio practice, and also teach wherever curious students can be found. Taking inspiration from daily experience, my work synthesizes varied travels and interests through layered narratives. My home and studio are in the finger lakes region of central NY.
