pardon me while i redo my website
Finding Joy Series 2024
Original Digital Paintings. These artworks can be reproduced in a variety of sizes and surfaces with archival materials that rival the look and legacy of oil paint.
Statement
My work is about what I see and feel. It is about the positioning of shape, color and textures. It is about creating visual joy. Sometimes I veer off from this direction but I always return to that desire to capture something more than what is in front of me. When I begin a painting, I think about each part of the scene I have chosen to paint and relive it in hyper detail. I consider the colors, shapes and placement of each stroke. Sometimes the composition is completed quickly and sometimes it is painstaking, but it is always a joyful journey. My photographs power my work. Having photography as a base allows me to collect ideas all the time. Sometimes I find other reference images, like the old films of Ocean City. In these instances I might recolor and crop the scene. I am not limited to a physical canvas. I can paint anywhere.
Process
Three Boys Saluting
This artwork portrays three figures standing together on a beach, seemingly caught in a moment of camaraderie and leisure. The black and white image is a frame I captured from old footage about Ocean City, Maryland filmed in the 1930's. I used this screenshot as my framework for the finished painting.
There is a fluid, almost dreamlike, ephemeral quality and a sense of movement in the piece.
The seaside setting is rendered in broad, sweeping brushstrokes, with an emphasis on the interplay of colors—blues, pinks, and whites—that evoke the refreshing and dynamic nature of the ocean. The figures themselves, are somewhat abstracted and faceless, depicted in darker hues, providing a striking contrast to the lighter, more vibrant background.
I chose not to clearly define the figures' faces or features to add a universal quality to the artwork; it allows viewers to project their own experiences and emotions onto the scene. The balance between the abstract approach and the familiar setting creates an engaging tension, hoping to draw the viewer into both the moment captured and the emotions it evokes.
I think one of the strengths of this piece is the use of color to convey mood and setting. The harmony of the blue tones with the warm accents creates a sense of tranquility punctuated by moments of joy and connection. Additionally, the loose, expressive brushwork suggests the fleeting, ever-changing nature of both the environment and human experiences, enhancing the emotional impact of the scene.
As you view this piece I hope you sense nostalgia and the momentary beauty that invites you to reflect on your own memories and connections with the beach.
Ladies at the Bar
This artwork captures a bustling interaction among a group of individuals seated at a bar. When I looked through my photos of this trip, this image reminded me of the Manet painting, “A Bar at the Folies-Bergere”. I use a warm color palette, with the glow of the interior lighting casting a golden hue over the scene. The reflections in the glass and the meticulous detailing of the bottles, glasses, and other elements remind me of the Manet painting.
The central focus is on the four people. engrossed in their own worlds, predominantly interacting with their phones, which illustrates a poignant commentary on modern social dynamics. The expressions and posture of the individuals convey a sense of introspection and detachment, indicative of the digital age's paradox of connectedness and isolation.
This piece pushes the boundaries of storytelling and emotional resonance for me. I like exploring art’s subjectivity, interpretations and emotional responses.
A Bar at the Folies-Bergere
Manet
