Artist Statement

I enjoy many forms of art. Being in our creative process is as natural for human beings as it is to breathe. Our art, in whatever form, is a unique expression of the energy that moves through us and the forms we create in living our lives.

I am drawn to the movement, color, feeling, and composition of contemporary paintings. I experience a pull towards the works of the early impressionists and their amazing use of light and paint in such a way that you can see and feel the energy of the moment the artist painted it. And I enjoy contemporary paintings that express color, shape, design, without any recognizable forms. A splash of energy made with paint and a well developed composition by an experienced artist, is usually the kind of painting that speaks to my heart and soul.

There is a tendency to overthink making art just as there is a tendency to overthink life. What drew me to make painting more central in my life, was in part, to open more to the energy of present moment awareness. I learned that there is an important phase of painting, especially in contemporary expression, that is really about play. It’s striking to me how it can be fun and yet challenging to allow myself the freedom to make marks that interest me and not be able to see anything in this phase about where the painting may be going. The painting becomes an organic process, an opening to the formless energy of life, and eventually a conversation about something that later reveals itself. To move into the unknown and simply play is something children usually do very well. For me, I had to notice more of my tendencies to limit myself and learn to become more fluid, open and playful.

Contemporary or abstract painting, invites us to move into the unknown and hang out there learning to play and explore. As in life, we can have an aim in direction, and we don’t control where life takes us. We can “get in the game” as Michael Neill often says, and set a course, and still be surprised how things unfold.

I was inspired through coaching to pursue my dream to create a “body of work” as an artist. I created a gallery within this website to share some of my paintings. I love when someone asks me “how long did it take you to paint that?” It makes me pause and smile, I just think about my current age when the painting was complete and well, that’s how long it has taken me.

I have participated in many formal art training programs. All of them have influenced my paintings. I also love to visit museums and art galleries to feast on the artwork of other artists.