Solace, 36” x 48”, Oil painting on wood panel
I used to paint primarily with oils in college and in my 20s. The paintings were messy, bright paintings that were confused, ambitious, disjointed and passionate, much like I was at the time. Since then, my style has evolved and changed profoundly in conjunction with the events in my life. Working as a scenic artist, faux finish artist and mural painter gave me the love of large format, alternate materials and commercial impact. Painting live at places like Cafe Tu Tu Tango and street painting chalk festivals taught me to use the power of an audience, and selling my work at art festivals installed the love of connection with art buyers and fans. Rediscovering my love for fabrics and incorporating them in my mixed media pieces most profoundly changed my work. But through it all, I have always most love drawing. And what I mean by that is, taking a medium, any medium, and creating a 3D object with it on a 2D surface. To me, its alchemy. Turning pigment into visual gold. Nothing fills me more!
I believe that part of growing as an artist requires stretching limits and learning from the people you consider the best. Since college, I have learned from so many brilliant artists that I have shared studios with and so many fabulous artists that I have had to privilege to call my teachers. Recently, I took Jennifer Gennari’s pet paintings with oils workshop and fell back in love with using oils.
So here I am, full circle, or perhaps full spiral, back to my love of drawing with oils. Something about the texture and process has completely pulled me in again. But this time I feel more focused with my ambition and passion. I am ready.
