It’s no secret I love to paint. Maybe you do too?
For those of you interested in the technical side of things I offer the following details of my process. That process evolves daily. It’s my favorite part. I contradict myself often, change my mind frequently, and experiment constantly.
.Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work. – Aristotle
My main source of enjoyment in mediums is oils. Over the years I have painted in watercolor, pastels and acrylics. On occasion, I still do. In all cases I use only the highest quality of artist grade materials available. Integrity and longevity should be important concerns for the artist and collector. I am personally committed to creating art that will stand the test of time.
Oil paint is an incredible medium. I love to play with that luscious, buttery paint and rich colors. I use a variety of techniques and most often choose to work wet into wet for prolonged periods in order to maintain a soft edge dominance. I like the use of transparent colors in my dark passages to give a sense of light bouncing through my paint. Opaque colors are used in the light areas to have the light bounce off of them to create the outdoor light that I prefer. I most often use Gamblin Artist Colors. Big tubes of paint help lead to rich juicy paintings. I use a variety of brushes, knives, and painting substrates. I like to experiment with textures on my substrates, sometimes using cold wax.
Regarding the popular question, “Do you paint on location, from life, from photos, from sketches, or from your imagination?”
Yes.
Most of my smaller are painted en plein air. For larger paintings I will paint in the studio using plein air paintings, photos and my imagination to compose and paint the painting. And, some paintings are purely from my imagination.
It is important to express oneself…provided the feelings are real and are taken from you own experience. – Berthe Morisot
The process of making art is and adventure of evolution, surprise and discovery. One discovery ALWAYS leads to another. I spend time playing and experimenting. Sometimes I fail and sometimes I succeed. Failures are inevitable and should be embraced as part of the process and the road to growth and improvement as an artist.
I am often asked what “style” I work in. In my view style is simply an authentic voice. Style is the distinctive handwriting of an artist. We are all different. Style evolves from our influences, interests, experiences and genetic dispositions. After many hours of working at art, an individual style will organically emerge.
I stay true to myself and my style, and I am always pushing myself to be aware of that and be original. – Aaliyah
When I’m “forced” to answer what style is my work, I answer that it is impressionistic, realistic, expressionistic and sometimes romantic.
