Abstract mixed media paintings
In high school, I used to cut classes and hide out in the dark room. Occasionally, I’d take art classes at the local arts guild instead of going to school. According to the principal, I set a new record for the most cut classes. That said, I still made honor role my senior year.
I went on to graduate from Savannah College of Art & Design. Then moved by the beach in Venice, CA where, in those days, it was said that was where “art met crime”. I invested twenty unforgettable years into helping brands create fans— as a Creative Director and Product Design Strategist by day, and evolving my palette as a painter by night.
Recently, I’ve gone full circle, returned east to the lush green (and snowy white) landscapes of my early years, and set up a private art & design studio not far from the arts guild where I once escaped to.
Statement
From the onset of my career as an artist and designer, I’ve always rebelled against conventions. And I’ve always embraced the challenge of making something out of nothing.
When I took my career in product experience design as far as it can really go, I was both burnt out and bored. I took a hiatus from my corporate job and began the process of rebooting through painting—retrograding back to my roots and love for creating fine art.
I began to explore abstract mixed-media paintings that often incorporate collage and printmaking techniques. I’m currently working between two opposite approaches:
The first is frenetic, unintentional and painterly—starting without zero conscious thoughts. It all begins with a feeling. Bold mash-ups of contrasting colors, clean lines and primitive marks, sometimes made by using unconventional almost irreverent tools, like dipping a lemon in paint and rolling it across the canvas so it aimlessly leaves its own trail. Or using a mop with the opposite hand and eyes closed to create the first layer of paint. Eventually, a particular lyric will stand out from a playing—or a memory will pop into mind. Juxtaposing my personal narrative and symbols from the music or memory, the feeling eventually takes part in shaping the concept of the piece. Exploring moods that are witty, edgy, irreverent, rebellious, recklessness, honest, a little wacky — sometimes a little upbeat and other times a little bit moody.
The other is sometimes methodically planned—a designed approach that starts with a digital sketch on my iPad. I made hundreds of digital brushes from scratch that replicate my studio tools. Initially I did this so I could paint when I’m traveling. But later discovered a new style. Using color as my muse, I explore textures, patterns, and creating deeply layered compositions—everytime viewed, there is something new to discover.
The disparate elements found in my studio kit embody a collective energy and put a personal stamp on my work. I use a variety of mediums like acrylic, oil sticks, spray paint, pastels, graphite, ink, and a variety of tools to apply the mediums, like wallpaper brushes, toilet brushes, mops, sticks, strings and fruit. I incorporate printmaking and transfer techniques along with collaging both painted and found objects, such as vintage wallpaper, wrapping paper, magazines and piano paper and vintage sewing patterns.
