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I paint because I am in love with the process. I prefer to work large and enjoy the sweeping movements of my body when I do. I paint thick because I am drawn to the texture of the paint. I usually choose to use wood panels and will often etch into my work with a knife. It becomes more of a physical experience, like a dance. My intentions and goals as an artist are to simply create. Anything that helps me create more I pursue. I will often paint first and ask questions later, letting the creation develop it's own meaning. I usually begin the process with flashes in my head of a pleasing composition or interesting objects I'd like to incorporate into my paintings and go from there. There are of course certain themes that are prevalent within my work. I'm interested in masks and the idea of hiding one's identity. I have recently been depicting people wearing masks or hiding their face in some way. They are usually in an outdoor space, like the woods. This is an obvious combination of my love for landscape and figurative painting. Over the past few years I have been diligently working on a series that portrays people in masks out in nature. This has been partly inspired by the music festival culture in the United States. I think it is a beautiful thing to see people being their playful, true selves all dressed up for a big party in the woods. These paintings are rendered in a slightly more realistic style than I have painted in in the past. I am approaching the end of this series and am looking forward to exploring a more abstract-surreal style in my future work. I enjoy this style of figure painting because I think it is easier for others to relate to. The figures become more of a memory or a dream and are less dictated by me. I want my work to be something that others can relate to and make their own. I hope that my art speaks to others with feeling, that the viewer can create their own personal narrative; but, in the end, all that matters to me is that I am making art. It is what drives me in life. It is the best way I know to share my ideas and pursuit of beauty. |
