The Clearing Painting

My painting is rooted in the visible world. I paint what I see - whether that is nature, the human figure, a photograph, or a sketch. It's important to me to create a "triangle of energy" between the subject, the painting, and me. The visual source is like the rudder for my painting. It allows me freedom to explore and play while keeping the painting from decomposing into a swampy mess. I rely on the subject for suggestions of composition, color, rhythm, and texture, but never feel beholden to reproduce it. In 2020 I began incorporating marks inspired by comics and graffiti into my paintings, lending a contemporary, graphic structure to the loose brush work. These marks are evolving as they become more a part of my vocabulary and play a larger role in all phases of the painting process. Right now I'm inspired by the art of Philip Guston, Joan Mitchell, Max Beckmann, Richard Diebenkorn, Amy Sillman, Howard Hodgkin, Cecily Brown, and Eddie Martinez. I love music and have the stereo on constantly in my studio. The music often influences the work, adding its own mood. You may recognize song or album titles in the names of my paintings.