ALTERNATIVE SUPPORTS
These acrylic paintings helped me explore the use of painting on surfaces other than canvas. Acrylic paints adhere to almost anything so Why Not? In this series I painted over fabrics or papers that already have an image on them. Part of this titillating Art Adventure is to follow the original image to places unknown. Among my choices are to edit, enhance, emulate, echo, partially or even completely obscure the image. All the while I draw inspiration from the surface that is so totally different from a blank white canvas.
HYBRID ART
Over the course of art history, New Technologies have inspired and motivated artists. We’ve come a long way from drawing on cave walls. One example is when the Impressionists took advantage of a newly developed 19th century technology: Portable Paint….that is, the invention of the modern paint tube. Prior to that, most painting was done in the studio where the paint had to be mixed. Now an artist could take his pre-mixed paint out and about, which resulted in the growth of Plein Air Painting (painting outside). Today digital technology has given us new tools to work with. I have experimented by combining these new technologies with good old-fashioned painting and mark-making by hand. Aesthetic Revelations abound in this new creative era.
PASTE UP PAINTINGS
These works are the result of a unique process I have developed that is similar to collage, but the concept is much different. Instead of using the typical found elements, the source material consists of my own prior art that is deconstructed, edited, reconfigured and finally reassembled as a new work. Fearless Creativity had to be involved in all aspects of this project from concept to materials to presentation. After furious experimentation, I found my favorite process, techniques and materials to produce these paintings. The first step is to digitally slice an original work into pieces. Then, staying within the digital domain, there comes a meticulous procedure of editing and manipulating each smaller piece. Those pieces are then laser printed on lokta fine art paper. This very pleasing textured paper is made from Himalayan lokta trees (Daphne papyracea) that grow in the mountains of Eastern Nepal. Bark from these high-altitude shrubs is dried, soaked, boiled, washed, beaten and dried again to produce this fabulous paper. Then I come face to face with a large, scary blank canvas with only a pot of glue and the stack of printed papers. Next the cutting, tearing, placing, looking and pasting continues until completion. The final step is to hang it on your wall!
VISIONS
These visions are realized through improvisation. Once I achieve the Flow-State I start jamming until it’s Music to my Eyes. They could be scenes from another universe, images bubbling up from the Collective Unconscious or apparitions released from my Life/Spirit/Body/Mind. Or maybe I accidentally knocked over some jars of paint that spilled on the canvas! Does it even matter? Buy one of these paintings and then we’ll discuss it.
VIVID
Sometimes I spontaneously begin dancing as I paint! It’s a reaction to ViViD colors mixing into new ones. I am discovering unforeseen images as they reveal themselves. It’s the thrilling Sensation of Creation Elation. This series makes use of standard modern media: acrylic paint, Flashe, art markers and paint pens. Sometimes in the frenzy of creation, I have to quickly survey the studio and grab whatever is at hand. After making a few more marks, I can bust into my next dance move. Nothing would make me happier than seeing these ViViD colors dancing on your wall!