My work celebrates light, transparency, reflection, and the luminous quality of paint.
I use light on a small personal scale, allowing it to be repeatedly accessible to the viewer in an intimate way. The inner depth in each piece serves to draw the viewer into a quiet luminosity. Changing ambient light influences the perception of what is seen and not seen. Layers shift with the movement of the viewer. Looking to create a dynamic between the simplicity of light and the exuberance of color, some pieces are quite minimal while others employ multiple layers of color over a luminous ground. Earlier work in oil, pastel and acrylic captured the presence of light on the surface of the paper or canvas in various ways. The pieces eventually evolved into using light itself as a medium blended with more conventional painting media to create the desired effects. This current work is the result of that continuing experimentation using Plexiglas, paint and mirrored surfaces. My early studies of Chinese landscape painting and calligraphy inspired me to incorporate foundational Chinese and Japanese art principles into my art. The rendering of layered space in Chinese landscape painting, the use of large voids and the Japanese concept of MA (space/time) are ongoing concerns. Turrell, Rothko and the Buddhist concept of luminosity/emptiness are influences that inspire me to experiment with new means of expression. As a professional garden designer, I observe on a daily basis the continuous play of light in and through the textures, colors and shapes of plants in the garden. This also is inspiration for my ongoing explorations with color and light. |