YEARS PAINTED
2001-2008
MEDIUMS USED
ACRYLIC, OIL, WATERCOLOR, GOUACHE, COLORED PENCILS, PASTEL
FEATURED ARTISTIC ELEMENTS
ABSTRACT FORM, BOLD COLOR, SPATTERING, MIXED MEDIA, MOOD, INSPIRED BY ASTRONOMY AND BIOLOGY
My love for painting abstract artwork surprised me as much as it did everyone else. The process was contrary to my logical and methodical approach to whatever I set my mind to. With abstract work I was able to cut loose and just let the paint flow without regard for being “right” or “wrong.”
Probably the most lasting effect of my years of painting abstract artwork is how I initially approach a project. Many people can feel intimidated by a blank sheet of paper or canvas. Just like taking the first steps of a journey … usually those first are the most difficult. But what I’ve found, particularly when painting abstract artwork, is that by simply laying down some quick washes of color or splattering the paper with ink or other marks I have a starting point. You have to just dive in to whatever it is you’re doing if you want to make progress. Planning and preparing is great, but sometimes people spend so much time getting ready to do a thing that they never actually start.
“The paintings gave the appearance of atoms, molecules, and their macro-cosmic counterparts.”
Featured Image
Breakthrough represented just that … a breakthrough in my painting process. More importantly, however, it was a breakthrough in my whole approach to life. As I mentioned above, getting trapped in the planning and preparation phases of a project can be the death of that project. Because I tend to be methodical and conservative in my approach to beginning something new, I have been known to let ideas die on the vine due to my own reluctance to get started. However, since painting abstract artwork I’ve become more relaxed and, rather than spending a lot of time overthinking things, I’ve learned to let go and dive right in.