Artist statement
I am a 53-year-old artist who has been painting a lot since 1992. I was born and grew up in Buffalo, New York, where I learned a lot about modern painting and sculpture. My first experience with Modern Art significantly shaped my artistic path; at seven years old, I was deeply inspired by Jackson Pollock's "Convergence" and Willem de Kooning's "Gotham News" at the Albright Knox Gallery in Buffalo.
My deep understanding of modern art began when the Anderson family moved the Martha Jackson Gallery to Buffalo, where I met my lifelong friend Reed Anderson. As kids, we skated through the gallery, passing by works by de Kooning, Johns, and Tapies, as well as sculptures by Louise Nevelson and Karel Appel. I often attended gallery openings, helped with setups, and informally met many artists. These experiences inspired me to create my own independent study program focused on the technique, theory, and philosophy of American Abstract Expressionism. Over the past 24 years, I have studied the evolution and methods of artists like Willem de Kooning, Hans Hoffman, Charlotte Park, Arshile Gorky, Philip Guston, James Brooks, Norman Bluhm, Jackson Pollock, Helen Frankenthaler, Cy Twombly, Robert Motherwell, and Antoni Tapies. Their work has both inspired and motivated my ongoing growth in art.
Clement Greenberg's theory suggests that a canvas can be a space for action where events happen and are captured. My art has recently taken an exciting new direction. I use oils, acrylics, Sumi ink, and collage on paper and canvas. I paint with a bold energy, letting my hand and brush create vibrant abstract landscapes filled with color. My work is emotional and painterly, featuring free, bold strokes that keep the viewer's eye active. I embrace the style of an Action Painter, painting from the heart with a bright, lively palette. My creations flow with light and rhythm, driven by my passion for painting, which is a fundamental part of my life.
I have had six solo shows and four group shows in my art career. A highlight was participating in a large group exhibition, X-sightings 95, at the Anderson Gallery in Buffalo, NY, featuring thirty-nine artists, including Juane Quick-To-See Smith. My second solo show, Natural Elements, in 1995 showcased 18 large oil paintings and was very successful and well-received. My latest exhibition, 2D Recent Works on Paper, displayed expressive movements and the connection to nature. These works were shown at Axis Mundi Arts in Boulder in the fall of 1998..
As a devoted painter, I dream of showing the West that Abstract Expressionism is no longer just a New York style or an eastern art movement. It has become an important part of our culture across the country.
Saturday, August 6, 2022