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New Work
My abstract paintings have extolled the beauty and mystery of nature for many years, but In my latest series of acrylic paintings I am incorporating surrealistic imagery of plant life into a biomorphic abstract environment to create a rather more inviting hybrid. Once attention is arrested, the darkened layer of foliage acts as a fenestrated framework in the manner of a stained glass window for a viewer to peer through as if he is close and present in the wild.
What may be more significant is the effect that working so closely with plant life has had on my own awareness. Suddenly, everywhere I go I cannot help noticing the green growth, shapes of leaves, patterns against the sky, the graceful postures, soothing movements, and comforting fragrances -- and I always have my clippers handy! The studio now resembles a junkyard less and a nursery more. What has been retained in this divergence is the excitement of not knowing exactly what the final image will look like, as that is left to the process of backlighting the plants and allowing them to cast their shadow-templates where they will onto the panel for me to solidify with paint. This collaboration creates an interesting authenticity not achievable with direct eye-hand drawing.
What I am saying with these paintings is that the beauty and charm of natural life is still all around us for inspiration and assurance in these troubling times.
