Artist Statement
I am very interested in light in a painting and how it illuminates and defines the shapes. Light in the painting is essential to all our visual understanding of the objects in the piece. I was very inspired by the Flemish artist of the Renaissance and early Baroque. I capture many photos of interesting light with my camera, as the light is always so fleeting. I gather the photos together to make a composition. I am also intrigued with the shapes light produces.
I mostly create my bright colors from the primary, a few pure secondary, transparent watercolor paints as this ensures clear bright color. I like bright color and happy subjects as I feel there is already enough sadness in the world.
Watercolor is the ideal medium for expressing light because of its transparent nature. By combining the use of watercolor paper, application of layers or glazes of transparent paint, the colors glow through each other. Warm and cool colors are laid on top of each other to give the effect of shadowed areas where light is and is not. Paper is left white to show the highest contrast between light and dark. This is long process but I enjoy watching the painting develop and come alive over time.
My paintings tend to be realistic. I also love the way transparent watercolor, colors and water work together so I have started playing with that in my abstract pieces.
I have paintings all over the USA and the world and it makes me feel good that I have made so many different people happy. I have a degree in Liberal Arts and General Science, a BA and a BS. But I have always been most happy when I was painting. I hope In the future I will have figured out how to spend less time marketing and more time painting.
Artist Background
Oregon State University
Bachelor of Arts, 1978
Oregon State University
Bachelor of Science, 1978
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