Artist Statement

DISASTER PAINTINGS

My series “Landscapes of Disaster,” begun in 2012, includes images of places of relentless armed conflict, as well as images of natural disasters including wildfires, tornados and hurricanes, which may be connected to climate change. Man would seem to have a hand in all of these “disasters.” I paint small and with vivid color to achieve a more jewel-like quality designed to offset the flatness of the matte, unfinished panel surface and to play on the confluence of pretty and scary. Unfinished Masonite is an unforgiving painting surface; like fresco, there’s no going back, which can create a challenge while functioning as a metaphor for the effects of these disasters.  I have hung this series individually and horizontally, as well as a tightly packed single, sculptural unit.

NIGHT PAINTINGS

Based on nightscapes, this body of work utilizes a monochromatic palette. The grainy grays of night and depths of darkness have always interested me.  I find scrubbing and working the panel painting surface to convey the tonal qualities of dark reminded me of my printmaking days -- wiping the etching plate to get the right effect of density and color.

POD PAINTINGS

Coming out of the pandemic, plant catalogues with their images bright with blossoms offer relief and inspiration. My Pod series picks up on the color, shapes, and fecundity that these plant close-ups and feelings of post-pandemic rebirth inspire. Done on unfinished Masonite with layers of paint and a heavy gloss finish, the blooms burst across the confines of the square surface.