Welcome to my studio.
I am an indirect painter. My paintings consist of numerous layers applied over many months. The layers add to the richness of the paint and to a reduction in detail.
When I am standing at my easel, I am thinking about the emotions that I am trying to convey. The model, the pose, the lighting; they all combine to create a psychological feeling that I work to capture.
When a painting leaves my studio, viewers interpret the works in their own way and I find it intriguing that a work of art can evoke extremely varied emotions.
I also hope to make viewers appreciate the use, power, and subtleties of the paint itself.
I also create installations designed to tell stories about social issues.
The materials I use are ordinary things – such as ice, ethnic textiles, popped balloons, plastic water bottles, medicine vials and cabinets, natural and discarded objects. These everyday objects are assembled and manipulated in ways designed to address underlying stories about global warming, ethnicity, pollution, and mental health.
Most importantly, I design my installations to generate thought.
The pieces often include interactive elements that allow viewers to become a part of the story.