Artist Statement:

INTERWOVEN

In my current work entitled ‘Interwoven’ two major themes are explored. The first is mankind’s lost connection with the natural world and second, the territorial boundary of our living spaces (houses) that further divides us. The further we get from the wild, the less we understand it.

The intent of this work is to reconnect the viewer to the timelessness of nature. We are organic in origin and we all share earth’s common elements of earth, air, fire, and water. These are shared by all and they have no borders. Mankind has the ability to damage the habitat and we are seeing signs of disruption in the natural world.  Has mankind tipped the balance of nature? Because nature is not insensitive to human action I am interested in the activities that contribute to the impact of this imbalance. I invite the viewer to consider issues such as urbanization, habitat management, water depletion, animal control, and reclamation. I believe in the adaptability of nature to reclaim old territory. Will mankind be able to weave itself back into the fold?

In my process I start with a general idea and once all the imagery is decided upon I work intuitively allowing the idea to expand and contract. I believe in experimentation and aggressive editing until the final product takes on its own form of mystery and content. I am interested in building firm compositions, mood and subject matter. When form and content align then the dialogue is complete. Abstract and representational elements are inhabited by animals that are interacting, observing or passive. Illumination is used to emotionally bond the viewer to the imagery.  In the painting “Deer Park” I examine that the relationship between mankind and the animal kingdom, a relationship that has become one of management.  But we as a species do not take an interest in controlling our own population. “Murky Water’, “House Hunting”, and “Foxed In” explore the impact of progressive ‘nesting’ practices and the impact on habitat. Fragile sticks, like structures, reveal complex worlds. Animals are quietly waiting and observing. The “Waiting Room” combines all the themes. I often use fire, smoke, and distressed birds to represent our current environmental concerns.

This work aims to visually re-establish an organic connection to the natural world. The world cannot be mastered.  Complicated in structure with many interconnected parts we must find the ability to alter the course and tighten the treads that bind us.

Dominion, Desire, & Decor

The present work entitled “Dominion, Desire and Decor” is based on the interconnections and growing distance between nature and modern society’s artificial ‘nature.’ As forests and environments shrink we turn more and more to managed parks, reconstructed forests, birdfeeders, and butterfly gardens. We are more comfortable surrounding ourselves with objects that reflect nature then living in direct contact with nature. We are collectors.

Nature as a force is not voiceless or powerless; it is more than an ‘empty canvas’ into which society and culture are constructed.  I have reversed the theistic contention that humans have ‘Dominion’  over nature and the animal kingdom in favor of nature ruling the world.  How we must live in a larger ecosystem then our own personal preserve (home) is a theme I examine.

My imagery is conceptually-based inviting the viewer to consider issues such as encroachment, artificial landscapes, excessive consumerism, animal behavior, surrogate desires, and preservation.

I am interested in how nature responds to our actions as a species. Our ‘Desires’ fuel technology, consumerism, and urban growth, and because of our needs we attempt to organize nature into something of our making, something “artificial” like our landscaped yards or plastic plants in the office.  We surround ourselves with ‘Decor’, then discard it, and desire it again in a never ending cycle of desire.  I imagine an environmental revolution and ask who will lead the new stewardship?