PERSONAL LANDSCAPE

A juror once wrote that my paintings “are more theater than film” with a highly personal “constructed atmosphere.” Those sentiments about my work feel spot-on. When painting outside or indoors I work to deliver the energy of a landscape using movement, discovered shapes, and local color notes to express my excitement for a place. My studio is set up for both oil and encaustic wax work. There, I reimagine my plein air works by upscaling and expanding media choices and sometimes drift off into fantasy. In all my work, I extract the energy, gestures, and geometries of nature.

INSPIRATIONS

The glacial terrain of western New York; the hills, vineyards, and waters of the Finger Lakes region; and the seasonal dynamics of Lake Ontario are my main subjects. I see and consider the Lake Ontario shoreline every day. This saturated exposure to the lake and skies challenges my observation skills and creative decision making.  

MEDIA: OILS, ENCAUSTIC WAX, GRAPHITE

I favor oil paint. The qualities of oils align with how I think, and I love the look, movement and smell of the paint.

When I’m not using oils I’m into the wax. Painting with encaustic wax engages my heart and head because it calls for balancing aesthetic choices with managing the science of the wax. My encaustic works are made with direct painting, layering, building, carving, inlay, and mixed media. The wax itself inspires ideas as heat and flame bring control and surprise to every painting. I experiment and push the properties of the wax, engaging in new conversations that come with each piece. And because of my practice of painting outdoors, I’ve come up with a portable camp-stove work station so I can happily work with wax outdoors without electricity.

Simple drawing with graphite is my go-to choice when I need a reset or want to try new ideas.