LIFE
I began my work as a painter in 1999. Although my experimenting with paint goes back to 1990. I did not consciously decide to be a painter until 9 years later. I am not a self taught painter. My methods have come about from a rigourous study culminating from many teachers, and much study from books on the subject. I do not believe anyone is "self taught" as we all take influence from one place or another. The only true "self taught" painters, were the ones who painted upon the cave walls.
My first recollection of painting goes back to my elementary school days and seeing for the first time a Piet Mondrian. Out of the art class, his was the only painting I took interest in. It wasn't until far later that my interest in painting renewed when I was introduced to the work of Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. Only then did I notice Something in the art world that fascinated me and kept my interest, as much as looking at that slide of a Piet Mondrian did many years before.
STYLE/INFLUENCES
My paintings are tactile in nature, the way the material leaves layers...however subtle or bombastic, creates a presence that begs to be experienced in person. The viewer must give themselves completely over to their concentration.
I have in the past, come across some great painters who's works have given me great courage to continue on...if only to push myself, to find myself.
I would say my work has a lot to do with Mark Rothko and Jackson Pollock to begin with. Also with Brice Marden's older paintings. And some painters who's works you may not have heard of. Like Joseph Marioni, Phil Sims, Rudolf De Crignis, Frederic Matys Thursz, and Joseph Hughes.
This is just some starting points for those interested in my works.
Imagine describing a Rothko to one who knows nothing of art...it just doesn't work.
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To continue the process of continuing....