Artist's Statement:
Nature defines who we are and our origins; however, it can be quite
difficult to feel this presence in today's society. Human life, for many,
has become a constant search for self gratification and identification
with the material world. The contemporary mind's focus has become
subjugated with the subconscious need for unnecessary tangibles
and extravagant lifestyles. We have built our cities and skyscrapers,
and in doing so, have created a world that thrives on ordered chaos,
as opposed to instinctive harmony. I have looked to such Romantic
artists as J.M.W. Turner, John Constable, and Caspar David Friedrich
for inspiration in creating emotional atmospheres that people will
respond to personally. Also, I have been heavily influenced by
contemporary abstract artist Gerhard Richter through his painterly
application and layering of the material.
These particular pieces speak specifically to the beauty often gone
unnoticed in the wilderness. The mysterious qualities found there
become even more complex and personal when perceived in a
solitary moment. It is in these instances that one's own imagination
takes precedence over actuality, and the mind is free to wander. This
is why I chose to render these scenes with unrealistic colorful bursts,
giving them each an individual personality. Of equal importance is
their tactile quality which presents a three-dimensional component.
their tactile quality which presents a three-dimensional component.
The textured treatment of the surface reinforces the life behind each
element represented and echoes the mystical or dreamlike behavior
of the paint.
