Artist's Statement

Along with the communication of ideas and political statements, the artmaking process is a means of self-discovery. Most of my artwork is a reflection of my ever-evolving human experience, images of my past that speak to those who have experienced similar circumstances, images of my present and projected future that offer hope to those still living in pain. It is by sharing these experiences through art that I am able to reach out to others, to inspire them to live their potential.

I enjoy exploring a variety of media, choosing the tools that fit the subject matter and match the mood to be conveyed. For example, while I was developing sketches for a painting of a montage of images related to redefining myself as a single person after divorce, a very self-revealing image flowed from my pencil onto the paper. It was not one of my planned thumbnail sketches for the series, but something from my subconscious that alerted me to my own body-image and the underlying reasons for my weight problem. Still Carrying My Babies Inside was better translated visually as an intaglio print in earth tones rather than the more vibrant colors I had in mind for the montage.

My influences are as varied as my taste in media, ranging from Hellenistic sculpture to Van Gogh and O'Keefe. Art that expresses something of the artist's soul and the culture in which he lives while remaining timeless in its message and imagery appeals to me most; it is that which I strive for in my own artwork.

As an art educator, I believe it is important to keep practiced in as many different means of expressing myself in the visual arts as possible, so that my presentations of lesson plans will always remain fresh and up-to-date. My flexibility in media and style is a reflection of this belief, and conducive to understanding my students' perspectives and ideas while enabling me to offer guidance and constructive criticism of their use of any media.