The mind is limited by its perception and reality is never absolute. Our reality is derived from "raw" sensations that are chemical and electrical triggers from our sensory organs and perceptual centers of the brain. These perceptions build internal complex symbolic representations of our personal realities. Individuals can then be said to garner their own sense of reality, with no two individuals' realities being exactly the same. The interpretation of reality in art is therefore subjective and abstracted in some sense. I make no attempt at visual reality. My work attempts to remove literal and illustrative images, and rely more on subliminal definitions of reality based on simple images, geometric shapes and gestures. This work is an exercise of reconciliation of the internal, the contemplative self with the external physical world, the transcendent possibilities of the self beyond our physical limitations. Geometric shapes hold universal symbolism. Though I intentionally do not set out to create a "message" coded in shapes, the meanings can not be entirely dismissed. For example the sphere, the simplest and most perfect of all forms, is the ultimate expression of unity and completeness. There are no points on the surface lesser or greater in importance and all points are equal distance to the center, from which all points originate. The Circle is the two dimensional shadow of the sphere, and is regarded throughout cultural history as an icon of ineffable oneness, of which there is no beginning and no end, the alpha and the omega.
The approach to my work is probably mostly easily described as intuitive and automatic. My work evolves in a slow process, growing from a simple drawing, which more accurately put is the breaking up of space on the canvas. From here the layers and planes are reworked to form some sense of depth and space. It is the working of dark with light and color breaking up the canvas in line and forms. Light radiates most strongly in darkness, and the light gives form to the darkness. I rely heavily on glazing techniques and the mediums’ nature of dripping and scrumming, working the paint or charcoal and letting it work for me. I truly believe my work reflects the medium itself as subject as much as my personal gestures. There is no said subject matter other than the illusion of space and its transcendent qualities. The piece is completed when I feel there is a sufficient sense of balance of space, light, dark, and color.
