Artist Statement

“Currently I am focusing on creating paintings that bring joy and peace to the viewer, and that are life-affirming. This focus in my artwork is due to a recent tragedy in my own life. In response to this difficult event, I hope to create artwork that reminds viewers and myself rather of good, beautiful, and inspiring things.

I do this through warm, vibrant colors, and by focusing on subject matter that has inspired me in some way. Many of my aesthetic decisions have become a very intuitive for me, as oil painting has been part of my life since the age of 9. I am particularly inspired by colors that I associate with the Mediterranean region - rich shades of lapis blue, jade green, red, terra cotta, and espresso brown. In my paintings I often use subject matter that speaks to me during my travels - paths, streets, vineyards, cottages, doorways, gardens, markets, and outdoor cafes. Often times these places are simply beautiful to look at, and I am moved to retell what I've seen through my paintbrush. Sometimes, however, I find a personal meaning for a scene, and give a road or pathway the symbolism of life's journey - hope in the future.

I believe that my artwork cannot help but be influenced stylistically by a number of factors - my practice in oil painting for most of my life, formally studying fine art at Baylor University and Lorenzo de'Medici Art Institute of Florence, my personal experiences and outlook on life, the examples set by other particular artists' work that have sparked my interest in some way.

Certain characteristics that these artists have used in their works find their way into my paintings - such as a calligraphic line that has been inspired by the vibrant strokes of Wayne Thiebaud, or a color palette that Vincent Van Gogh might have used. Other artists who have truly captured my eye with their work have been Paul Cezanne, Rembrandt Van Rijn, Giannino Marchig, and many of the 20th Century Modern European artists, though my painting style at a glance can be more closely associated with the spirit of the Impressionists."

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