I see myself as a story teller, a silent witness to the world around me. For me, it has always been about the image, not necessarily what I have seen, but what I have perceived behind, and even more, beyond the facade. I am interested in exploring popular American cultural stereotypes, icons, images, slogans, advertisements, and the exploitation of the general public by the mass media. Over time, these iconic images take on meanings all their own.
In each of my paintings I make use of these associated meanings as well as recombining their context/s and combining them with other disparate images as a way to create new meanings. I also distort perspective, playing with the figure/ground relationship, creating multiple layers, and painting with super-saturated and vibrant colors, all in an effort to not only cause the viewer to reflect on what these icons in the past may have meant to them, but also what they may mean to them now. I like to create narrative works of art which provoke the viewer to question his/her beliefs giving them an opportunity to draw their own conclusions/interpretations of my paintings based on their own experiences.
My goal as an artist is to create both visual and visceral works of art which in some way resonate within each viewer.
I believe that art fills a basic human need. Art gives our lives color, fulfillment, purpose, meaning, and excitement. Art stirs the imagination, mind, and soul. Art affects our moods, desires, and personalities, liberating us from most other animals, many of which do not “create”, but for the most part seem only merely to exist.
