My art-making process involves executing my conceptual ideas through painting, drawing, printing, and installation. A project typically begins in writing, sketching, and reproducing subject matter directly from observing life.
With most of my traditional paintings, I begin with drawing directly on to my surface(canvas/wood panel) with pencil, charcoal, or thinned oil paint. I am very concerned with the aesthetics of composition, direction, and hierarchy. Additionally, these elements lend to communicating a narrative, an importance in my imagery.
Color perspective and reproduction are interests in my process, leading to thinner layers of oil paint to create a spectrum of color mixing.
Over the years I've had many influences: Among painters alone, I most admire the old masters Caravaggio, Lautrec, and Degas; inspirational modern painters are Rothko, Phillip Pearlstein, Beth Blake, and others.
I utilize printmaking for its ability of reaching numerous viewers through the capability of editions. It is the link between fine art and communication. Etchings on zinc metal plates emulate the fluidity of drawing in fine detail, lithographs from limestone mimic the characteristics of dry media such as pencil or pastel. My prints are all hand printed and by me.
