Artist Statement

My work has been diverse over the years, but my passion for painting landscapes, still life and spiritual themes, as well as photography of architecture and nature, have stood the test of time and seasons of life. When painting, I enjoy working in the impressionist style, as well as expressionist and conceptual, especially if there is a spiritual bend to the work. By spiritual I mean divinely inspired, or inspired by my own spiritual journey into the heart of God. I am inspired by the beauty of nature when in harmony with man (rows of trees or lavender, a garden, sailboats on the water). Another source of inspiration are historic buildings awaiting restoration (my favourite examples are found in the Czech Republic; The Czechs are amazing colourists). They have layers and layers of beautifully colored paint visible; the layers tell a story; what has each layer seen and been through? The result I see is beautiful, unique, deep and full of character.

I use acrylic paint and lots and lots of water in my conceptual/expressionistic works to achieve the look I envision. I sometimes use mixed media such as modeling paste, gold leaf and photographs, even an inspiring Starbucks bag has found its way into one of my pieces. I like to use gold, because it represents something that does not tarnish with time and even if its beginnings are not pure, it can be refined. I use water, a blow dryer, and rotation of the canvas or board itself to manipulate the running wet paint. I seal each piece with varnish to protect the work and give the colours clarity and depth.

It is hard to put into words what I feel when I conceive a work. I used to just paint the beauty I saw in the world; now I am able to paint the beauty I see beyond it. My hope is that my artwork will not only speak to the soul of the viewer, but to their spirit as well, that my artwork would offer the viewer a glimpse of the Divine. I want it to view the viewer, just as there are literary pieces that read the reader.