On the Way to Santiago Painting

I visited the Dominican Republic this past winter and was deeply touched by the dichotomy of existence there. First, it is truly a paradise - blue skies, radiant sunlight, abundant flora, and the most beautiful beaches you can imagine. On the other hand, the poverty cannot be ignored. The challenges of their social and political systems invited me to ask questions. The people of the Dominican Republic are sincerely grateful and their gratitude is expressed in all that they do. And, yet, their desperation is embodied as well. Over these past six months I have explored how to translate the divine beauty, and yet capture the brokenness.    As a process artist, I continue to try new materials and processes. In this series I continue my work with breaking the surface of the canvas as well as new techniques with epoxy resin. I am now adding opaque inks to the epoxy resin so that I can now literally paint with epoxy. Sometimes the epoxy can be used to create jewel tones and at other times the epoxy adds highlights and dimension to the canvas.    I have explored the Japanese term of wabi sabi for many years. I now have found a new term in the Japanese language that invites exploration. “Iki” is a balance of romantic and the straightforward. It is a traditional Japanese aesthetic that continues to evolve as contemporary artists use new processes that develop and at times challenge the traditional. In times when the word beauty is still considered sappy and some claim that painting is dead, I push to find an authenticity that will push beyond the pedestrian view of beauty. Pope Francis has called for a Revolution of Tenderness. It really is the same thing that I and others are searching for: a return to a softer space in time. Considering the political divides so prevalent in today's world, I hope to instill intentions of inclusivity and togetherness toward an experience that will capture the spiritual interconnectedness that transcends cultural difference and has the ability to unite us all. I hope that my work invites you to feel the interconnectedness and to question the world in which we live. For me, it is in the questioning, that answers are revealed.