Artist’s Statement

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The main reason for my feeling -- somewhat -- youthful as I approach my eighth decade (egad!) is my art. I constantly think about the piece I am working on: decisions pertaining to design, pertaining to color, etc. My art makes me feel engaged. Every day, I look forward to my studio time. I’ll find something entertaining to listen to on my iPad as I work, and if I’m lucky, my dog Atticus will join me on his pillow next to my easel. When all of that comes together, everything is right with the world, and for me, time stands still.

I find that a true test of creativity is being able to come up with solutions when working within constraints, self-imposed or otherwise. That was certainly true in my years in advertising/commercial art, and it was true when I had my students working under specific criteria when I taught art (though I’m also a believer in certain rules being twisted a bit, if not broken altogether).

My latest pieces (six of which are represented here) were created under a set of conditions I placed on myself: For instance, the spatial plane would be divided into sections, and at least in one instance the dividing line is angular – not quite conforming to the horizontal or vertical edges of the working space. When a design element crosses a border, there is a perceptible shift: in color, placement or texture. Additionally, each piece would include the play of matte and reflective surfaces, and all would feature photo transfers as one of the media utilized. In many instances, the photos used were taken on recent travels to New Mexico, New York, and Hawaii.