As a figurative painter, I transpose my subjects into surrealistic environments that portray the landscape of my personal experiences, past and present. They are a mixture of acrylic paint and relief sculpting that continue to grow off the canvas. This technique engages the viewer and compels them to look more closely at the painting to discover the many textures, dimensions, and surprises within. My ultimate goal in this process is to create works of art that look like they will walk right off the canvas and onto the gallery floor.
I use a variety of processes in my painting to coax the figure away from the surface. I embed objects such as glass, beads, fabric, and paper that extend and sweep off the edges, emphasizing the movement of the figure.
My inspiration pulls from artists such as Robert Rauschenberg and all who dare attach the kitchen sink to their canvases, the ones like Frank Stella who refuse to be restricted by the edges of a canvas, and artists like Frida Kahlo who paint themselves in order to understand and process their deepest emotions.
I have an affinity for using bright, bold colors like teal, red, orange, cerulean, and yellow in my work which may have come from living and sailing in the Caribbean for 17 years. I also found inspiration in my travel and cultural experiences throughout Greece, Cyprus, South America, Mexico, China, and Japan.
I create and title in metaphors - using them to reflect, learn from, and then frame the experience. The title of one of my pieces, “When One Door Opens....” is a metaphor exemplifying a period in my life when I felt defeated, only to discover that when one finally leaves their baggage in a dark corner and moves forward, life does continue and may even surprise.
My work has taught me that life is a journey, not a destination.
PROCESS
There is a story behind every painting. “Breaking Through” is a portrait, not of me per se but a person like myself, breaking through a barrier. I wanted her expression to exude the slightest confidence and contentment, much like the phrase ‘I got this.’ This is my current state of mind and how I’m feeling about the direction of my work. However, it’s necessary to note that the figure has not completely emerged from the background but the layers of excuses, inhibitions and self-sabotage have been torn back and the figure is now revealed.
To the side, you can see how the artwork progresses over time. I begin with a preliminary sketch of the full idea, and then do the underpainting for the piece. I add sculpture over top, using the underpainting as my guide, and focusing on one area at a time. Once the sculpture is set, I paint the relief, and add the paper for the final touch.
