Artist Statement

Using mediums such as china marker, oil bar and oil based paint pens along with oil paint on canvas, paper or aluminum, my work represents the day, current affairs, conversations and events. I do not usually directly plan any painting or drawing making work tortuous at times. Being conscious of every square inch of surface, I have a situation in mind and become anxious to see the result. Representational images are derived from clip art or actual objects. The activity of drawing is important: it is a conduit between situation and surface. The process is my way of making what I experience more concrete. Formal elements such as color are often intuitive. It comes from somewhere.

The Hydrant series is about my experience with internet dating. Each hydrant represents a different person I have met on a dating web site. The titles of the paintings correspond to the catchy handles that people identify themselves with until they are ready to reveal their real names. If I couldn't remember the handle of one of the men I had met, I assigned one based on my impression of them. Just as there is sure to be a hydrant on every corner, there always seemed to be a steady stream of people to meet on the web. I would stop using the web dating services for months and when I went back, there was always someone new to meet. Some of my e-dating relationships never got past a couple of emails or a phone call but each one left a unique impression - so each hydrant in my paintings has a different look and story.

The Margins series is a group of work representing themes of marginalization and isolation using outlined images from space travel such as astronauts in full gear, satellites and rockets. The absurdities of situations, inherent or intended, are constantly mysterious to me.