Mocabee Barn No. 1 Painting

The ideas that I paint come from the agricultural landscape, particularly barns and farm like agrarian architecture. I am drawn to the flat planes of landscape, exploring color and the study of my paintings over time. Richard Diebenkorn, Wayne Theibold and Andrew Wyeth are among my strongest influences for my work. I am fascinated by reimagining the buildings that I present in my paintings as an opportunity for the viewer to re-understand the landscape. A new opportunity to resurrect a new meaning from buildings that are somewhat decayed. I am also fascinated with forgotten farmhouse interiors- older heirloom objects placed in contrast with new objects. This forms a new dialogue for both objects when placed together in interior architecture or interior painting. The process that I paint is very thick and layered. I often start with one idea or shapes and then let the painting rest. I start a new piece and then come back to the previous pieces often rotating the canvas or wooden gesso panel. Landscapes become portrait pieces. I also layer over the images I see in the brush stokes with paint and draw over the paint with graphite. I tend to ruminate on certain colors and ideas for a long time. One thing that is consistent is the ability to come back to certain works often and change shapes and continue this process on several pieces at a time until the work is complete. The landscape to me is a bit like a blanket or wallpaper both are materials that cover a surface. I am interested in blending both the landscape with an interior scheme idea and I have a forever obsession with chairs. I am fascinated by yard sales and older furniture that you find placed outside in the landscape as if it was forgotten. These types of landscapes take on new meaning and new shapes over time. The themes of the landscape of barns, forgotten buildings, forgotten materials, forgotten furniture inform my painting and composition. Color and particularly when a certain color has historic meaning are important aspects to my painting. Buildings that were being torn down or re appropriated and sold blended with wallpaper and chairs and a colorful landscape.