YEARS PAINTED
1999-2011
MEDIUMS USED
ACRYLIC, OIL, WATERCOLOR, PEN & INK, PASTEL, GRAPHITE
FEATURED ARTISTIC ELEMENTS
FAMILIES, COUPLES, INDIVIDUALS, PETS, MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS, REALISM, ABSTRACT, COLLAGE
Portraiture has always been intimidating to me, especially when it’s for a commission (which happens to be why I do very few portrait commissions anymore!). The reason for my frustration is that there is always a difference in expectations between me and the person for whom I’m painting.
As methodical and detail-oriented as I am in my life, I have come to understand that my natural approach to creating art is loose and flexible. Early on in my art career I decided that I would not create photo realistic work. Cameras do that just fine! Instead, I search for ways in which to allow a person’s personality manifest through the medium.
“I have come to understand that my natural approach to creating art is loose and flexible.”
Featured Image
Music by Father Jim is one example of how the act of creation is experiential. I had wanted to paint Father Jim’s portrait for some time, but our schedules were always in conflict. Eventually we were able to get together long enough for me to take a handful of pictures of him. But when I got home and uploaded them on to my computer, I realized that nearly all were drastically flawed (indoor/low lighting is my photographic nemesis). So for months the pictures just sat on my computer until one day, while cleaning out my studio, I found a copy of a musical composition that Father Jim had given me. Instantly I knew how I was going to paint his portrait, and within minutes Music by Father Jim had manifested.