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While mastering the use of oil and watercolor, I continually explore the foundation of all painting, which is design. For me, subject matter evolves out of abstract musings. Beginning with small thumbnail sketches, almost like doodles, I will exaggerate or diminish an idea, establish light and dark patterns, experiment with color. Any inspiration is key to a simple plan that may eventually grow into very large or small paintings. I use a sketchbook to record ideas, to jot down an inspiration from insignificant places, perhaps dramatic lighting on a trite subject. Suggestions may lay dormant for prolonged periods, only to be resurrected at some far off date. I find inspiration in a brilliant red sky at daybreak, skyholes between tree branches, groups of people, a phrase in a song or word pictures within a book . . . anywhere. Although I sometimes use the camera most of my paintings originate in a single thought. I like to move in closely to the center of a blossom, or perhaps onto several on a single stem. If shadow and light shapes are absent at a particular location, I arrange my own plan. Eight words explain my painting theories: warm-cool, bright-dull, light-dark, large-small. Subject matter is unlimited, and anything may fall victim to my brush. After finishing a painting, I may decide to do another of the same subject but with many changes. Thus grows a series. The secret of production is dedication and keeping myself in an art spirit. I have learned to set priorities on my time so I can produce a large body of work. Through painting I can find moments of ideal tranquillity to share or to store in the cabinet. Eventually someone will come along and want my enjoyment and make it their own. Painting is a revelation of the artist's soul. Casper David Frederick, a German artist, stated in 1812, that an artist should not paint just what is in front of him, but also what he sees within himself. If he sees nothing within, then he should refrain from painting what he sees without. I avoid political and controversial subjects and portray what to me is beautiful. Navahos have a way of putting it: May you have beauty behind you May you have beauty in front of you May you have beauty beneath you and above you And may you end in beauty. It is a state of mind. This is what and why I paint. |
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