Breathing Painting

The creation of art has always been a primary focus in my life. It is my intention that my art have a positive influence upon the viewer. Having grown up the Bay Area, I feel the strong influence of the local atmosphere upon my work. I find the tonal steely blues and grays enticing when partially obscuring the more linear man made structures. The elements become abstract and shadows in the fog environment. I like to contrast these cool colors with warm yellow, reds and yellow tones to bring a vitality and excitement. I use circles and lines as part of my visual grammar for their symbolic possibilities. I find myself striving to resolve a tension between contrasting aspects in my paintings with a sense of balance. One such duet of contrasts occurs between the qualities of soft and strong. I find that the loose structures and lines in my work give it a stability and strength and are comforting and reassuring. I am drawn to a degree of containment or partial definition without confinement within a specific closed shape. The contrast of the more ethereal forms to the lines and open structures create a tension and release along with movement. Movement is at the conception of each piece as I always begin with large gestural strokes that are full of energy. I strive to keep this feeling of movement as the work evolves and the layers develop into a piece that feels resolved. In my finished work I strive to bring a sense of balance and harmony to a piece that partially reveals more dynamic elements.