ARTIST STATEMENT
As an artist, I am growing and changing constantly, I am continually inspired by my experiences and interactions with the world around me. In 2010 lived in Italy for a year focusing on art, and found myself completely in awe of the texture and depth in the architecture culture that has been around for centuries. Hundreds of years of layers are uncovered; plaster falling off and exposing the brick underneath, different colors of paint and discoloration from years of water damage. It is very far from looking pristine and perfect, which greatly affected my approach to painting. Seeing beauty in the imperfections of Italian buildings inspired me to turn from such detail oriented painting and towards more expressive and suggestive brushwork. Using the paint in such a way that the shapes suggest forms, I try to build up these shapes in layers, ultimately creating the image, much like Italian buildings. I am not trying to recreate a scene as realistically as a photo, but rather strive to capture the mood that is felt when in that exact space.
I use my own photography to capture moments in which later are used as subject matter in my paintings. It is important to my process because it is the beginning of my painting. It is the time where I am figuring out composition, capturing the lighting, connecting with and exploring my surroundings. I like to find the little details that people often miss, and make beautiful the ordinary. I use them as the inspiration and subject matter of my paintings, and I feel strongly about working from my own photos.
When walking down the street during the day, buildings and architecture look normal; perhaps because the majority of our days are spent in the daylight. We associate daytime with the monotonous tasks, jobs, school, etc. that consume our energy. Then there is that short window of time from when the sun is setting to before we go to sleep for the night that we hold sacred—whether it is the time to rest and relax, go out to dinner, or enjoying the nightlife—there is an ambiance and romance that is like nothing else. In the dark of the night, the world around is transformed by light playing in the darkness, creating incredible colors and contrast. In my paintings I explore the interaction of light in darkness, expressed in vivid colors.
I am inspired by impressionists and their desire to capture fleeting light exactly how it is in the moment. I sometimes work on site, but more often I use my photos as my source. I am constantly seeing the world as a palatte of colors, walking and thinking about what colors I would mix to create what I am seeing.
I use my own photography to capture moments in which later are used as subject matter in my paintings. It is important to my process because it is the beginning of my painting. It is the time where I am figuring out composition, capturing the lighting, connecting with and exploring my surroundings. I like to find the little details that people often miss, and make beautiful the ordinary. I use them as the inspiration and subject matter of my paintings, and I feel strongly about working from my own photos.
When walking down the street during the day, buildings and architecture look normal; perhaps because the majority of our days are spent in the daylight. We associate daytime with the monotonous tasks, jobs, school, etc. that consume our energy. Then there is that short window of time from when the sun is setting to before we go to sleep for the night that we hold sacred—whether it is the time to rest and relax, go out to dinner, or enjoying the nightlife—there is an ambiance and romance that is like nothing else. In the dark of the night, the world around is transformed by light playing in the darkness, creating incredible colors and contrast. In my paintings I explore the interaction of light in darkness, expressed in vivid colors.
I am inspired by impressionists and their desire to capture fleeting light exactly how it is in the moment. I sometimes work on site, but more often I use my photos as my source. I am constantly seeing the world as a palatte of colors, walking and thinking about what colors I would mix to create what I am seeing.