Exploring the Evolution of My Creative Vision
Labels are important to many people; as humans, the use of pigeonholes enhances how we understand and cope with the complexities of the world. I generally think of myself as a contemporary Impressionist, but my style is perhaps bolder and more Expressionist than many artists currently labeled as such.
Perhaps that distinction begins with my artistic goals. (I often speak to this when leading an art workshop.) When I started painting full time back in the early 1990s, I wanted each painting to be very representational to a specific place. But after 9/11, my art became more emotionally reflective and more Impressionistic. After my hand accident in 2010, I have become even more Expressionist and less concerned about the details of representing a particular scene. I have also been more willing to "play" with the paint.
Cornfield, 2010, Lake Region Healthcare Cancer Center
Today when painting, I strive to show more than just how light affects a particular scene at a particular time of day. As an artist, I hope to convey emotion—a feeling I wish to share with my audience. The feeling of proximity to Nature, the soothing calm that comes from colors, the peacefulness of water, and the healing and stress relief found in the forest.
My technique incorporates broken colors similar to the French pointillist painters but more boldly applied. This uses color to create emotion, thick paint strokes to create movement, and often separated brushwork to achieve a unique effect. I haven’t known how to label my technique, but I have recently discovered some younger artists doing similar work, and they refer to it as Open Impressionism.
I am inspired by my direct contact and close proximity to Nature. I also find photographic imagery can often stimulate an idea. One of my favorite photographers is Eliot Porter.
My use of thick paint is often enhanced by the use of different mediums to add even more texture and translucency, and I will sometimes add iridescent colors to my palette. These effects cannot be fully conveyed through photographs of my paintings, but when properly lit and viewed in person, the imagery is stunning.
Veritas Caput, 2024
As I continue on this artistic journey, I am grateful for the opportunity to share my perspective with others. My hope is that my work invites viewers to pause, reflect, and find a sense of peace—a moment of connection to something larger, something deeply restorative. Art, for me, is more than technique; it is a way of reaching out and creating shared experiences.
I invite you to explore my work and see for yourself how these elements come together. Whether it’s the vibrant interplay of colors, the textural richness, or the emotional resonance, each piece tells a story—one that I hope inspires and uplifts.
Thank you for sharing this journey with me. I’d love to hear your thoughts or questions about my work, so feel free to reach out or leave a comment. Let’s keep the conversation about art and its transformative power alive!
Vernal Spectrum, 2014