Artist’s Statement

My style ranges from logical and analytical to mystical and spiritual, no doubt influenced by my background in law and my interest in religion and philosophy. I believe in using only the finest quality artist’s materials available, which I like to combine in unique and interesting ways in pursuit of my creative curiosity.

In my “Contemporary Landscape” paintings, my aim is to capture the emotional and spiritual elements of the landscape. It could be the way the light falls over the sweeping terrain, a dramatic sky, reflections in sparkling water, the rugged texture of rocks, the silhouette of backlit trees, or the rhythm of hills or mountains. In my "Farmscape" paintings my aim is to capture the nostalgia and intrinsic beauty of the rural midwestern farms that so shaped my childhood in Central Kentucky.

For any of these paintings I may select oils, acrylics, or mixed media, depending upon the subject matter and the effect I want to emphasize. Oil paint imparts a luminous quality to a landscape, while acrylics and pastels provide dynamic color. I sometimes paint with oils en plein air, to better capture the colors and raw feelings of a scene. Then, in my studio, I use as reference my plein air paintings and thousands of photographs I have taken on my travels throughout the US, Mexico and the Carribbean.

In all my paintings, my objective is for the viewer to share my emotional and spiritual connection to the elements of the landscape, not necessarily to recognize a specific location.

My Use of Color

People who are drawn to my work often comment on my choice of colors and the intensity of my colors. This is achieved in several ways, but mainly by the use of top quality paints. Many artists use inferior materials and “student grade” paints, which are cheaper and have less color strength. I also obtain intense color through the use of a high gloss varnish. Many artists skip this process because it adds to the time and cost of a painting. Some use inferior materials, such as lacquer or epoxy resins, which yellow and become brittle with age. This is also why original paintings are always superior to reproductions. The color intensity of an original simply cannot be matched!