about my art

"You begin with the possibilities of the material." -Robert Rauschenberg

  My style of painting falls under the general category of Mixed Media, Abstract Landscapes. To break that down: mixed media means that I am creating with all sorts of different materials, not just one kind of paint. Abstract landscapes means using a variety of abstract techniques. My paintings are usually inspired by photographs which I have shot, at home or abroad. The final product is not necessarily a realistic representation of a scene, though, and it is not really meant to be. Even so, sometimes the drips and scribbles come together in a way that is unexpectedly representational.

Over time, it has become more and more important to me to loosen up my style. I can be a very detail-oriented person, and I wanted to stop obsessing about the small things. By using abstract techniques, I can allow the materials to take on a starring role. My job becomes helping the paint and other media to do what they do well, rather than what I had decided I wanted them to do. I enjoy the surprises along the way. I enjoy seeing my work change as it goes through different physical stages from wet, to dry, to fully cured. It's exciting to discover which colours and textures have emerged, where cracks have developed, and so on. 

It's an ongoing process and a struggle! I love the element of surprise, yet of course I use what I have learned in one painting to influence the next. It's a constant push/pull between controlling and letting go, between deliberately bringing out certain details and just letting the materials do the work.

Inspirations include the natural world, travel, current events, memories, and just good old imagination. I am grateful for all the artists who have come before us. Life influences art, but art also influences life. The moment you see a work of art that touches you, your world view is forever changed. So many artists have affected how I see the world.  I have to give special mention to Robert Rauschenberg: this mid-century American artist created, and lived, with a special kind of fearlessness that I can only hope to emulate.