I search for nature’s overwhelming beauty – alive and challenging, untouched by human need or technology, immediate and yet timeless. I look at what is in front of me, not with a zoom-lens mentality but with an appreciative soul for all that washes over my senses. I paint because I must engage in what I truly love. My goal is to connect my total self with nature and to make art that is personal yet collectively meaningful. I aspire to involve you fully in my creative experience.
One of the things I enjoy most is the thinking process, both before and during the execution of each piece, and the challenge of translating my thoughts through the medium of oils. This is my favorite medium because it allows for a personal textural dialogue. I was taught to be more philosophical than technical about my work. I have had to learn to create a balance between these two elements; it has taken a lifetime to do so.
I prefer vibrant colors to subtle colors because they elicit an immediate emotion. The intention can’t be hidden or misunderstood. Color is predominant in all my paintings. I paint incessantly, accepting the challenge of painting outdoors. Perhaps this is why I feel most comfortable working plein-air. For me, the plein-air style is fast and physical, demanding confidence and spontaneity.
