Artist Statement

My paintings are about delight in the structure, beauty, and music of the world. I like to explore the tension created when the cool mathematical relationships of geometry , angles, and ratios in classical forms are juxtaposed against the warm perfection that has evolved in plants found in natural settings. I find inspiration in observations of details relating function and form such as the architectural sheltering in the way a forest grows or how the appearance of a vase supports its blooms. Rendering my imaginings into visual surreality allows me to enjoy the paradox of honoring how Nature always does it better than I can, while nevertheless allowing me to suggest enhancements to her handiwork — and I get to revel in the perversity of showing Nature disobeying the laws of nature.

The ideas for each painting evolve over weeks and months in my sketchbooks until I’m captivated enough by the emerging images to create a finished work. These are products of my imagination inspired by composites of hundreds of detailed photographs of real world roses, trees, leaves, landscapes, skies, buildings, birds and musical instruments. Beginning with many small pencil sketches, I progress to a larger value drawing, then proceed with oil studies.

When I sit down to work, I ask myself: “What would I like to see?” Then I paint until I have a reasonable hope that my painting will surprise, delight, and be as restorative for
viewers as a walk through a garden. I’d like to inspire a sense of the world as being full of intriguing possibilities.