Artist’s Statement

Working in a painterly, energetic style, I strive to capture the fleeting moments most of us pass by in our daily lives.  One of my goals as an artist is to bring something  to the viewer they may not have noticed before and show it to them in a fresh, unusual light.  It forces people to look around once in a while and really see what’s there in front of them.

Collectors really seem to appreciate it in their conversations with me at different events. I believe almost everyone can train their eyes to really see as if they are three years old and seeing the world for the first time.

Although we all agree Nantucket is very easy on the eyes, I still feel there is
a lot of “passed by” beauty on the island, particularly its color. It has a
palette all its own including grays, purples and ocean blues that the mainland
misses out on for the most part.  Add to that the air quality,  light reflection
& soft rolling landscape and we are talking about a different planet.  It’s just
a beautiful place. It takes a few days to adjust your eyes to the color and
 light differences from the rest of the world. Time very well spent!

I like to work in oil outdoors, alla prima, though I will work on a piece later in
the studio if the work calls for it. Larger works are painted from field studies &
digital photos on a tv screen. I am too impatient to glaze layer upon layer on a
painting.  It would cause me to lose my excitement about the piece and I believe
that would show up by causing the painting to appear overworked or “dead”.
 I really enjoy seeing a fresh painting that is full of energy and life. The fewer brush
strokes the better.  I’d rather spend less time with the brush on the canvas and
more time observing my subject and what I’m trying to say.  A few well placed
strokes can say more than a thousand carelessly laid marks.  I can actually feel my
eyes dilate when I view an incredible work of art.  How amazing that mere paint
on a support  can bring about a physical response from its viewer.
That is my ultimate goal as a artist.