Memory of Italy Painting

Through the journey of a trans-continental life, I have circled back to what matters most in life and work. Between the southern coast of Africa and land-locked Hungary, between Germany and Johannesburg my center has become fixed on family values and ephemeral spark of vitality. in my work I have chosen to focus on mainly portraits to express my desire to connect with others - both my subjects and audience- through the shared experience of an image captured in paint. While the full gamut of life provides the basis of my choice of subjects, from the ingenuousness of early childhood to the quiet knowledge of approaching death, each artwork has the same source, in a moment of fleeting but clear and heartfelt inspiration. I am drawn to something evocative yet untranslatable brief instants that are then translated into oil paint. My painting begins with the labour-intensive yet meditative production of a perfectly smooth surface. This provides the background for translucent deposits of thinned-down oil paint, which enhance the honesty of the works. There is inherently little room for error while brushstrokes and the pigment remains visible. Few shades are selected for any one painting, pared-down colour palette likewise allows the essence of the work to shine through, without distraction. Drawing on the emotional experience of colour, a restrained range is used to enhance the understated serenity and strength of a woman or the detached sense of being under water, while a contrast of two clashing tones can emphasize the tension of a moment and the loss of innocence. Objects are incorporated as symbols to further enhance a narrative depth. I hope that people I portrayed will create a sense of connection in the viewer and the painting becomes a shared space to reflect on life in its breath.