Artist Statement
My non-representational mixed media paintings provide an opportunity for me to reflect on the complex nature of life's beauty and sorrow. The notion of impermanence is at the heart of my work. Nothing stays as it was, change is inevitable, even invited. Accompanied by fear, risk, excitement and optimism I voyage into the unknown. While painting, I recall voices, memories, loss, love, visual landscapes, people and experiences. My interest is not in literal depiction, but rather to convey emotion and feeling. How do I show what it felt like to play on the St. John River as a child? How do I show spaciousness and being unfettered? Painting allows me to take a deep dive into the unknown. I embark on a journey of discovery with no map. My work builds layer upon layer, creating something new while honoring what came before it on the canvas. I use acrylic paint, mediums, gels, scrapers, sandpaper, oil pastels, wax crayon, pencil and collage. The substrate can be a panel, canvas or canvas on panel. The painting is complete when I have brought discordant areas into balance and harmony.