Please take the time to look at each piece, not just glance at an image. There is something there, whether it be color or form or a mere line, that is part of the story and needs to be seen to appreciate the whole.

In abstraction, everyone gets to participate in the creative process. Viewers see the art, then feelings arise from the shapes and colors. These feelings, then begin to trigger memories and associations which are a catalyst for our mind to absorb shapes within the painting. From there, the viewer ends up creating their own identifications with the forms and colors, thereby both participating in the artist’s vision and creating their own story. Thus the dance continues within the creative process!

I began painting formally somewhat later than most other artists because it was not something I took seriously when I was young. As a result, I am essentially self-taught (although I have studied with various teachers) and taken many classes, I believe that whether you attend art school or not, the true artist has to be self-taught. You can learn about the technical aspects of making art, and that is the value of art school. But, in the long run (and for the long run) we all must explore the various medium for years so that we can meld who we are with our chosen medium. Then, the flow of creativity can become personal, in a very impersonal way, for both the artist and viewer.

Like many artists, I use the word “abstract” quite often because that is my preference for expressing what I do. Yet, I use it with some reservation because my feelings about my work and the work of others who may have a similar interest, cannot and should not, be classified within a category. It seems to me that abstraction is discussed like all other styles of painting as a way of grouping works of art into one category, much like we have done with impressionism, cubism, modernism and all the other isms in the art world and in life. Those isms, however, were more about generalizing a style. But abstraction, when adhered to, is more about process and personal vision and the masters of any movement in the arts have a distinct process and personal vision that transcends what we are most used to seeing and feeling!

At this point in my career I can say that what I am trying to do, is create something that the viewer can interact with. As I mention above, the viewer has an opportunity to create their own space within each piece and in doing so, get to feel that participation, by merging their personal experiences into each piece they visit! Viewing a representational piece of art is easier only because its presentation is recognized immediately. However, non-representational art requires the viewer to let go of traditional recognition and then reassociate or open their minds to participate in this new abstraction before them. Both of these approaches are deeply involved in their process, and going beyond in both cases adds to the viewers experience.

I have been writing and reading poetry throughout my life and just in the last few years began to add my poetry to some of my paintings and providing alternatives to the visual experience of the painting. This process has a name, it is called “ekphrasis!” By definition “an ekphrastic poem is a vivid description of a scene or, more commonly, a work of art. Through the imaginative act of narrating and reflecting on the “action” of a painting or sculpture, the poet may amplify and expand its meaning.” For me, some poems arise before the visual art, others after, and some during the process!

Both poetry and abstracted painting attempt to provide a visceral and very personal experience of common emotions in a referential way, never fully addressing the obvious, but always referring to what is experienced through our senses almost between the lines, thus allowing for personal experience to be the vehicle for the actual communication. Poetry, like abstract art sits at the same table as Jazz, in music. Each is an expression of the integral space of our being, which allows for the acceptance of the multiple aspects of time and space and the recognition that the concept of a mere three-dimensional relationship with time, limit not just our bodies, but also the unending search of the soul!

In the process of developing this site, I thought it might be more interesting to have some examples of my work from the last 45 years. I hope you can see the flow of my process during these decades in the Artistic Timeline!

To view, just click the link below.