Artist Statement

Our lives are a collection of moments and I am captivated by the beauty of a facial expression or a bodily gesture. I would best describe my work as realistic impressionism with emphasis on the figure and celebration of the ordinary. I aim for accurate drawing with sensitive observation and interpretation and varied paint application to keep the work fresh and energetic. Keeping it simple and fresh is biggest challenge.

In my work as a landscape architect, my objective was always about creating physical space for people. The attention to people in my design background has created, I believe, the desire to capture people experiencing life in a painting. Hence, my work is primarily figurative. I often approach my subjects with the camera first. This allows study and enjoyment of my subject matter without concern for the final piece.

The images I capture are used as reference to create concepts and composition. I start a painting by loosely sketching the contours of the major shapes, or “massing” in shapes directly onto the canvas. Then I try and connect the darkest value shapes, moving them around the composition to establish a rhythm. I often lay in a color to define the area more, creating an under-painting of form and mass. If it looks like a good direction, I proceed, adding color and texture, refining shapes, layer upon layer. The details and lightest and darkest values are determined toward the end of painting development. I work in both oils and pastel, and am currently working in oil. My oils are painted on cotton and linen stretched canvas.