ARTIST STATEMENT 2022

Born in Jacksonville, Florida in 1960, I moved to New York in the summer of ‘78.  I started painting in the early 80’s primarily using watercolor and acrylic. From there, I  transitioned exclusively to oil in the early 90’s. While in New York, I took advantage of all that the “City” had to offer. I was able to view the works of Jasper Johns, Edward Hopper, Basquiat, Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso to name a few in the many museums and galleries in the New York area with the MET being my favorite.

However, it wasn’t until I moved to New Mexico that I really started on my current artistic path.  I saw and fell in love with the many works of Georgia O’Keeffe and the various artist of the Southwest and native peoples. Also while there, I was blown away by the light, beauty and architecture of the area.

I moved from New Mexico to Seattle and then to Santa Barbara in the early 2000’s. In Santa Barbara, I was able to get a greater appreciation of the many works of well-known Mexican artists such as Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, and Rufino Tamayo. Tamayo is now one of my favorite painters for his use of color, textured canvases and his subject matter.

Now with all this knowledge I’ve accumulated, I have been painting with a greater focus and joy of what I’d like to see on canvas for myself. I hope you do as well.