“An artist cannot talk about his art any more than a plant can discuss horticulture” ~ Jean Cocteau
In my older work I juxtaposed various appropriated imagery such as is found in old advertising art, drawings of cosmic elements and events, mathematical formula, and symbolic drawings accompanied by text or typography. I used different mediums and materials, and often abraded or distressed the surface to partially reveal layers of imagery and text. Dotted and dashed lines represented life and death cycles, lineage, or personal historical references – in other words, the passage of time. Grid patterns suggested memories of people, places, and moments or events remembered, as well as futuristic possibilities. I explored major themes of the pervasive power of symbolism in our culture; the inevitability of obsolescence; of connectedness and communication; and of the fragility of time.
In recent years I’ve continued to explore different surfaces, mediums, and processes, but have moved away from abrading and distressing the surface of my pieces. Instead I use under- and over-painting to obscure and reveal various themes. I repeatedly return to elements such as masks, birds, jesters, and spheres but I allow the direction and process to evolve in a more natural way than previously. My figurative work is more gestural – freer and less structured. An area of great creative exploration in my recent work is my use of color – my palette is brighter, more diverse and translucent. I find that current reading on physics and neuroscience, combined with my fascination with bones and other objects of the natural world, make their way into my art, almost unbidden.
