Artist Statement & Biography
I grew up in a small suburb just 29 minutes north of New York City. My interest in art peaked when I took painting classes as an elective at Teachers College, Columbia University. The soft studio light in the New York pre-war buildings was a refreshing change from the "florescent" lighting of other classes. I moved to Los Angeles and was again inspired by light, especially since it was new to me in comparison to the heavy gray clouds and long winters. Desert sun and ocean air quickly motivated me to take classes at UCLA and Otis School of Art.
If you must define my artistic style, I would say it most closely represents a "post- impressionism" look. I pursue conveying “impressions” of what I see, and in doing so, naturally evolves an“expression” since impressions cannot help but be subjective. I do appreciate objectivity as well. I also tend to paint with a balance of realism and abstraction as well.
Subjects of every day life, whether it be of nature, living, organic, mechanical or from a photograph, help launch and define the subject matter, the composition and the mood. Loose brush strokes and color tone are ways I try to communicate the mood and aesthetic essence of the form. Ideally, such a process translates emotion to the canvas.
I aspire to “let” a painting unfold naturally. This endeavor, however, continues to be in balance with principles of color, composition, and form. It is a daily renewal of inspiration and study. Many other artists help inspire me, such as the Impressionists: Cezanne, Pissarro, and Toulouse-Lautrec. I am also inspired by such musicians from Rachmoninov to Afro-Cuban Jazz. Finally, reading and daily inspiration from philosophers to metaphysical thinkers also help give me a boost. I have seen from other artists and mentors that painting is a combination of both “being” and “doing.” At times, it is necessary to contemplate, while at other times, it is important to just “do.” Teaching fourth grade English also has been a source of inspiration.