Artist's Statement
From about 1825, through the crash of 1837, the tumultuous years leading up to and including the crisis of the Civil War and the Industrial Revolution which caused massive environmental and social upheaval, the painters known as the Hudson River School were creating monumental landscapes inspired by their reverence for nature and their wish to bring this sense of awe to others. Not only did they play an important part in the creation of the national park system, but they were among the founders of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They have strongly affected my work.
One hundred years later another, stylistically more diverse group, began moving away from Representation and Impressionism into Abstraction. These artists were reacting to both World Wars, the acceptance of the power of the human psyche, the validity of individual expression and a focus on the material and process of painting. Richard Diebenkorn, one of these painters, related many of his forms and compositions to figures, interiors and landscapes. He is probably best known for his breath taking Ocean Park Series painted in the 1970’s and 1980’s. He is has also had a major impact in how I see and how I paint.
The first image I create is a fairly realistic one based on a drawing done during one of the life drawing sessions I attend regularly. This gives me a beginning sense of composition and light. Gradually the figure morphs into a landscape which through the process of adding and sanding layers becomes increasingly abstract until the whole begins to crystallize. The painting now asserts its own unique identity and story.
I grew up in Amish country in Ohio. Ours was the only home in the area that had electricity. Consequently the sounds of nature were easily heard. Working and spending time outside were taken for granted. In my previous career I was a psychotherapist. Once again I found myself in an environment that excluded distractions and invited and valued internal focus.
When I paint I am taking my journey, but I hope to leave behind something that will inspire viewers to take their own. I strive to create imagery that will invite people to take a deep breath, drop their shoulders and let down their guard. I think with words, but I feel with pictures.