Artist's Statement

 

In the past, I painted distinct abstract and figurative works; now I seek to defy easy categorization, blending abstract and figurative approaches in layers of paint that accumulate over the years.  Some “new” works were begun more than a decade ago; yet only in the few months year did I add the final dimension, the touches that allow me to declare them finished – at least for the time being. 

I vary my styles and draw on a variety of influences, from 1960s cartoons to Ancient Greek frescos.  In multi-layered space, I place heads without eyes on figures on flowing constructs that are sometimes organic and sometimes mechanistic.  These figures are isolated, pensive, gleeful, sad; some attempting monumental poses, others seeking obscurity.  Above them, people twist through the sky, falling or diving or swimming or floating, some ecstatic, some petrified.  Or I create abstract canvases with bright colored clouds on muted skeins out of which shapes loom, and onto which small heads wag and tiny hands grip and claw.  

These works attempt to capture immutable aspects of human nature, figures and scenes that could equally well belong to the 1^st as the 21^st century.  In terms of attire, demeanor, posture and influence, there are few features in these individuals that could place them concretely in any one period of time.  The background is also devoid of any clues that could help place the paintings temporally.

Mostly, I paint in oil and acrylic, on various types of paper, though sometimes on canvas, on a fairly small scale (18”or 20” by 24” or 28”).  But I have found that the physical dimensions are neither a limitation nor an opportunity; the key is the impression of space conveyed to the viewer.