LAVENDER SHADOWS on a YELLOW GROUND Painting

My formative years were characterized by constant movement, as my family frequently relocated. This nomadic lifestyle left me without a lasting sense of place during my childhood. As I grew older, the pursuit of “finding a place for myself” became a personal mission. Eventually, I chose Albuquerque as my home, and my artistic vision became deeply rooted in my enduring experiences across New Mexico. I hold a bachelor’s degree in art and architecture, a background that significantly shapes my approach to painting. I have long been guided by Louis Sullivan’s adage, “Form follows function.” While the shapes and forms in my paintings may not serve a practical spatial purpose, they are crafted as simplified representations of the subjects they depict, emphasizing essence over detail. My artwork draws upon a variety of themes native to New Mexico. My subjects include the region’s flora, the landscapes and environs of the Rio Grande River, as well as expansive skyscapes and evocative shadows. I find inspiration in the world just outside my door, the everyday miracles of plants that bloom one day and wither the next, and the intricate, wallpaper-like patterns formed by their arrangements. Long walks often take me along acequias, where Mexican Sunflowers emerge from tangled leaves. In the Bosque, slender saplings intermingle with the large, rugged Cottonwoods. Crows fill the air with their caws, some taking flight and others resting on branches. The ground is covered with a thick layer of teardrop-shaped leaves, while light flickers through the canopy and a gentle breeze brings the distinctive rustle of Cottonwood leaves. Heading westward, the river sparkles like silver through the dense underbrush. In New Mexico, the sky is a dominant force, dwarfing all else. While a radiant sun in an azure sky is typical, the weather can shift rapidly; clear blue expanse may give way within an hour to thunderheads, dark clouds that bring lightning. Mornings and evenings are often graced by stunning sunrises and sunsets. The changing seasons influence my time outdoors and, in turn, the imagery that appears in my paintings: winter’s long shadows in late afternoon, spring’s first dogwood blossoms and vibrant Cottonwoods, summer’s early morning brightness streaming through the canopy, and, above all, the temperate, colorful autumn with its vivid reds, pinks, violets, and the golden hues of Cottonwoods nearing dormancy.