Artist Statement

In my latest series I have been exploring the idea of memory and it’s relationship to our feeling of place. We have strong emotional memories tied to certain locations as well as small recollections based on glimpses of areas we have passed by. Our memory is a reduction and refinement of our experience and I try to collect and assemble this assortment of thoughts and impressions and further distill them to their essence and lay down the elements in paint.

When reflecting on the idea of memory as it relates to identity, elements of time are introduced. With the passing of time memory is diminished and decay and imbalance are introduced. This leads to a reduction which for me leads to abstraction. To abstract is to remove. The contrast of beauty with  decay and balance with imbablance is expressed in the tone and hue of the  palette as well. The pallette plays with the ideas of colors taking on different strengths when placed next to or combined with one another. Complimentary colors are placed in a way as to reinforce each other and the combination leads to exaggeration. Or they can serve to diminish their power when placed in a certain way. It is this exploration of color,  composition and light that entices me and drives me.

I am inspired by my experiences and they involve many things surrounding the Southern California region.  Freeways, buildings, waterways, and natural beauty as well as decay and filth are present in my memories. These images identify the city for me. Outlines of buildings form a staggered skyline while the ocean and deserts inspire flat horizons. These background horizons form the basis and first layer of my paintings. They are the negative space of the composition.  This negative space is about finding a place to fit in to form relationships with what is there and what is not. It speaks of location. The composition is a balance between the negative space in the back and the forms and outlines in the foreground. With these basic forms and geometry I try to compose something that speaks. I seek a personal rhythm and style that is unique and speaks its own language.

I like to build a surface and earn its effect. A hard won battle with color and composition.  To me painting is about creating problems, not solving them. Pushing to find the base element within the realm of an aesthetic. As I see it everywhere you look is exciting, it’s the process of looking that is the adventure.

“Dockweiler” 37″ x 46″ ,2014