About My Recent Work
 

As an artist, I am capable of painting subject matter from representational to non-objective.  During the years 1977 to 2009 I worked primarily in watercolors--painting landscape scenes while striving to achieve a high level of abstractionism, simplicity, fluidity, and spontaneity.   As a craftsman and perfectionist, that level of technical accomplishment eluded me.  I was trying to meet the watercolor painting expectations of the art community and public.  I basically was chasing a difficult personal goal.

Acrylic painting, on the other hand, has no perceived level of technical accomplishment.  There is no consensus on a standard of achievement.  Because acrylic paints are so versatile in technical applications and processes, there is no level to which I need to aspire.  I can be as representational or as non-objective in my subject matter as I wish.  The only real criteria on which to judge my work are in uniqueness of subject matter and compositional design.

Although non-objective paintings release this artist from having to create a convincing likeness or resemblance to its subject, it requires something equally challenging:  the creation of an image that feels “right” or convincing without the benefit of referring to—or being explained by--something else.  As the old cliché goes:  it is what it is!

As an acrylic painter, I am as free as my creative spirit—there are no limits.  There is no technical standard for which I need to strive.  My work can be as detailed and meticulously accurate or as abstractly expressive as I wish it to be. I can paint as much or as little as I want.  I can paint as long or short as I want.  The message in the painting can be in the medium, the subject matter, or how I use the elements and principles of design.  My intentions can be as clear or as mysterious as I want them to be.  My work can be as whimsical or as contemporary as I wish.  My visual messages can be as universal as a smile or as confusing as a federal tax form.  The best part is that I can enjoy the journey as well as the destination.

Having painted with acrylic paints for the past two years, I am content with most of my final results.  To be sure, however, every painting goes through a probation period during which I react to its visual impact.  If the painting passes the visual test, I sign it, seal it, and prepare it for public display.  If not, I paint over it. If the painting has achieved my personal goal then I can move on to the next project feeling good about the results. My artwork becomes a gift to the viewer—a momentary distraction—a temporary diversion.