Archive #51 Collage

I spent four years in Japan, where I was mentored by the painter, Ikuo Nishinarita, who introduced me to the world of handmade papers and taught me to trust that making art is a form of “walkabout”, in which the work itself becomes a map to be followed. I begin by trying to control the elements of a painting (i.e limited palette) but with the first gesture the piece takes on a life of its own. I’m reminded to listen to the work more than myself. It’s a bit like parenting a child. When should we stay out of the way? When should we step in? At the Art Students’ League of New York I studied with Ronnie Landfield, master of large scale acrylic wash works. I now practice in my Southern California studio, inspired by natural surroundings.