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Artist Statement

I am interested in human motives. I see both nobility and savagery in myself, and others, and I am interested in showing that in the form of pictures. I think an interesting way to get at this and other dualities is by mixing the intuitive with the studied approach to art making. I have noticed a kind of divergence in styles in my work (all of which are still part of my vocabulary). What better way to show our more logic-based motivations than by painting in a meticulous manner? Or conversely, how can I better show our more carnal drives than painting in a quicker more impulsive way? This doesnt mean that one is better than the other or can survive without the other. Perhaps another way to look at my work is a dialogue between an adult and a child. The adult needs the energy and spontaneity of the child. The child needs the protection and ritual of the adult. My work has a little of both, energy and ritual.

My pictures all fall on a narrative continuum. On one end is a direct and simple telling of a story through an image. On the other end, the story is composed of fragments and is only really complete in the mind of the viewer. I like both and everything in between.

In fact, I guess everything I have been talking about can be described as points on continuums specific to my work. For instance, on one end we have tight drawing and the other, loose. On one end we have terror and on the other end, laughter. On one end I use color imagery, the other monochromatic. I slide all along this spectrum of possibility. I use whatever I need to make a picture work.

Formally, I have launched an investigation into color. Also, Ive been really dripping a lot lately (sorry Theone!) and have been trying to master a few different rendering techniques. I believe in being badly proficient.

I see humanity with existentialist eyes. A friend of mine described my work as Neo-Gothic Surrealism (YOW!) I told him I thought I was more aligned with the Compassionate Existentialists. This labeling is kind of funny but I guess I do owe a lot to both the Surrealist painters and the Existentialist writers I really like. It is because life is ridiculous that there is reason for hope in every day. That is also why I try to paint every night (or early morning), miracles happen at 3;00 am!

My last thought is that I see us as part of the animal kingdom. This is no cause for shame!

Whatever flows from my hand, whether an image of Heaven or Hell, hopefully comes from a love of my craft and of humanity.

A face to sink a thousand ships

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