Surf Sequence 2 Painting

Surf Sequence 2 was part of a commissioned collection. This was the third year I have worked with the Bass family to create a series of works to be given as gifts to cherished friends. I’d like to invite you to peruse the series and learn a little more about my practice. This year, I have been inspired to create works using references from Ansel Adams photos. A great photographer, first introduced to me at a young age by my father (who also first introduced me to photography). Adams was known for his trekking about our National Parks and nature preserves in and around 1920s-50s. He served to catalogue places across the US with an emphasis on light/dark values and nature. Along the way he made connections with other artists of his time you may know today; Georgia O’Keefe, Edward Weston (formed the group f/64 together), Cedric Wright, etc… My work revolves around my own experiences in nature. Typically I will make references while on hikes (sometimes rigorous, sometimes mildly dangerous…sometimes just a local trek into the woods). These references may be in the form of photographs taken along the way or sketches en plein air. As I’ve not been able to make it to the mountains in time for this latest series, I wanted to commemorate a photographer who I feel a professional kinship with.