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My paintings are usually in acrylic and mostly representational. I layer paint repeatedly, then finish with fine ribbons of color, only noticeable up close, to accentuate or soften objects in the composition. Throughout the process, I add a big dose of intuitiveness and call upon the “unseen spirit of creativity” to guide me. Some folks refer to my work as abstract realism. Even then, sometimes a painting just doesn’t work. That’s when I look at my fiasco, acknowledge my current inadequacy and laugh. Since failure can be growth producing and laughter keeps us young and healthy, my unsuccessful efforts become positive in themselves. (It works for me, anyway.)
In 1979 I earned a BFA in painting from T.C.U., but because of financial responsibilities at the time, I became a stock broker and a certified financial planner. For 18 years, I whined (didn’t help) about not having time to paint. Then, a little over six years ago, with the help of my son and business partner, I shortened my workweek to three days and painted the other four. Unfortunately, a life threatening illness in 2001 halted both my career and my painting. I returned to painting as I became stronger, and became stronger as I painted. I’m convinced that “making art” was a huge part of my healing.
I am currently exploring portraiture using collage. Recently, I completed a collage of my Mom who passed over two years ago. We were very close, and I found that making this art helped me once again to heal. This time it helped to heal my soul.
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Art is soul food. Making art heals, teaches, surprises, challenges, inspires, excites, calms, illuminates and connects soul to soul. That is why I do it. In the process, I hope that from time to time, when seeing my art, another might know healing, learn something, enjoy an “aha moment”, be challenged to action or change of thinking, be inspired, feel excitement, experience calm, or see beauty where they might not have noticed it before. If I’m really successful, the viewer might experience more than one of these gifts. If the viewer has even just one of these experiences, then we connect soul to soul. At that point, art is soul food for both of us.