one | two| three
These recent gouache and encaustic paintings start
with photographs -- some of those I've taken myself, and some taken by others.
These are a mix of family and friend photos, fashion and travel shots, and
those I've collected from various media sources. I select photos that capture a
particular moment or emotion. In some paintings, subjects stand alone. In
others, a seemingly innocent moment from the past is juxtaposed with images
from popular media, of a more jaded or sophisticated world. I'm interested in
both the tensions and symmetries that emerge through these invented
double-portraits.
In the tradition of Matisse and Hockney, pattern plays
strongly throughout my compositions. The textiles or indigenous paintings of
different world cultures are of great interest to me. I collect these and
constantly work them into the stories that I weave together in these paintings.
They can evoke another place, or bring worlds together. In "Connect the Dots",
an abstracted section of Gaudi tile work pulls these two disparate figures
together, leading the viewer to consider what they might have in common.
Some of the photos I use have a sense of mystery to them, some a
playfulness. These elements are a great jumping off point to create a new
story. As with other contemporary portraitists, I seek to create a certain
sensibility with the paint, this being just as strong an element as the subject
matter. The patterns and landscapes used throughout, also add to the visual
dimension.
Click on a thumbnail to see
the a larger version.
|