Atrtist Statement

I am drawn to the energy around me—the force of a pounding surf, the motion of air, the smell, the light, the way objects in space talk to one another. How one motion affects the next is a continuing source of fascination. In my painting I am concerned with the act of relationship, with the self as expressed through the process of painting and with the interrelationships of the world around us. I am interested in change, growth, and personal perception – cycles of decay and renewal – deconstruction and reconstruction.

I think artwork has a secret life of its own. I can make something, but once it is out of my hands . . . That is where the audience comes in, and from then on, it’s all about them and the work.

Painting portraits is my passion. I started drawing when I was two years old and ever since making pictures has been at the core of my existence. It’s always thrilling to experience the moment a painting takes on a life of its own. One instant there is an amalgamation of colored shapes on the canvas surface and boom, with the addition of a single stroke it’s transformed into a lifelike entity.

I feel I’ve been blessed with a special gift and it’s incredibly satisfying to know that I can use my talent to bring joy into the lives of others. I strive to meld the physical and spiritual characteristics of each person I paint into the most telling portrait possible. To me, conveying the essence of my sitter is paramount.