Artist Statement | Preferred Medium | Inspiration/Painting style | Career History
Artist Statement
| Fitting the profile
of an artist, my life has had it's share of rocky roads. I almost
avoid enjoying the finer things in life in fear of having to experience
yet another traumatic saga in my life. Due to responsibilities I have
taken on in my life, I have been forced to work many different
occupations which had a serious effect on my health but, I have
always
held closely my obsession for art. Every thing I was involved in
creating was spawned from my hunger for art. Through the rough times
my sanity had
always been reigned by my inner voice forcing me to create or paint to
push me past each new challenge.
Looking back I've developed a fond appreciation for this gift realizing it has always been all that I had to save me from myself. So now as I am approaching my so called "Golden Years" I am also gaining momentum with my painting and determined (with what time I have left) to devote to art what art has so graciously given to me. |
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Today with no regret, I'm not pressured to produce in order to survive. I paint with passion because it's my vocation. I'm unconcerned about styles or trends because my painting will not be dictated. I'm independent and unpredictable. I paint when ever, how ever, and with what ever I please.
" Today, I look back thinking about the Artist
I thought I'd like
to
become
and realize, that it's who I have been all along."
Artist Statement | Preferred Medium | Inspiration/Painting style | Career History
Preferred Medium
Due to my experimental nature and having the privilege to experience working in all mediums, it is my conviction that the subject or appeal of a painting is initiated by how it is best expressed. Contrary to the cliché that an Artist must continue with a favored medium to master his/her ability, I refuse to limit my creative capabilities. Not every subject merits a painting in oils as well as some subjects are best expressed in simplicity with a pencil sketch. When I foresee a painting I allow that vision to determine the medium. For me it is the vision that requires discipline to convey, not the medium in which it is expressed.
My strongest interest is in using only proven archive quality materials. When I have a surge of creativity, I work several pieces at a time rotating from one to the other to satisfy my impatience to get each piece done. So I could be painting two or three oils and while waiting between layers, I'll move to a watercolor , pastel or graphite drawing, etc..
Do I paint from photos? Yes, why not? I generally only take reference from my own shots or from photos from a time long before mine unless, I'm provided a really special portrait that intrigues me. I'm sure that the old masters who's work we all love and admire would have done the same if the technology was available. Do I paint or draw plein air? When the mood strikes me. I also draw and paint from my imagination or from memory.
Do I create or restore computer images? You bet! Again art expression is far from a restrained or partial experience. Fellow artists if you have a problem with that, get over it. This is the 21st century. We should be exploding with creativity with any available medium.
My only hindrance is my health which pulls me away for weeks to months at a time.
Artist Statement | Preferred Medium | Inspiration/Painting style | Career History
Inspiration/Painting Style
I suppose every artist is suppose to have a mentor or favorite Artist that has inspired them. I'm sorry I can't associate with that stereotype. Although, I have appreciation for many era's and styles from Cave painting to Graffiti ( yes graffiti is a recognized art style) , I can not allow associating my work with any one style. My favorites list is extensive and continues to grow. I could say that some of my most favorites are from the Romanism & Expressionism eras only because they encourage the viewer to relate to idealistic and "life" scenarios.
The one style I will not be connected with and will never link any fellow artist with is "Primitive" art. Take the formal training aspect and throw it out the widow. I've seen individuals with a masters in art that could not paint to save themselves and some who have never touched a brush do exceptional paintings as well as the other way around. I know there are children out there that have the ability to to draw as well as some adults. It's all about seeing & maintaining an analytical point of view, to some extent developing a perfectionist philosophy and most of all spiritual self-awareness. There is nothing "primitive" about art and I consider the term intellectually discriminative and insulting for any artist. Might I also reveal an open minded point of view to say that, art appreciation is not about categorizing or classifications. It's about understanding the artist objective.
Subjects of interest are as wide spread for me as my medium and style. I accept every project as a challenge because I'm afraid if it did not challenge or intrigue me I might loose interest. I'm sure every experienced artist out there can relate.
"Absolutely nothing is gained from an inhibited expression."
Artist Statement | Preferred Medium | Inspiration/Painting style | Career History
Career History
I am a "Self Taught Artist". My vocation started at a very young age were everything in school had to be expressed as art. All of my papers or reports always had to be turned in with illustrations. I was painting my parents home and refinishing furniture at the age of twelve. And no, it was not slop shop painting I'm talking about. However, parental criticism in regard to providing an income from my talent produced speculation on my part regardless of my enthusiastic audience. Pegged as a dreamer (idealist) in my early years while evading the influence of an Army Master Sergeant/Auto Chem. Lab Supervisor for a father left me with nothing but to believe in myself. Fortunately with the cultivating efforts of my mother, he began to understand and acknowledge my gift before he passed away.
In my school years, there were many Art Major Grads out there whom I've bumped into working at one burger flippin' joint or another who proved to me that the investment just wasn't worth it. I'm not knocking the piece of paper. I'm just saying that, at that time if there is anything out there that I wanted to know how to create the right way, I would find out how to do it. And I did, saving my hard earned money to use elsewhere. Besides once an individual has been taught how to find the vast amounts of information that is available, the person's character, and intellectual curiosity takes over from there.
Selling mostly by referral in the Philadelphia Metro area I've supplemented my income by working other painting related jobs such as sign painting and historical architectural painting restoration etc. I have received generous payment for my work and received awards. However, I've avoided most competitions and shows due to the time it took away from my lifestyle.
In regards to my work history, I stand exposed not much different than any other artist. As for your appreciation I maintain a "take or leave" attitude. Am I a well known or an emerging artist? Who cares. If the art world has not yet found me, it's on them. They will when their time is right. My expression is a public record of my personal creative existence. My loyalty is to my clients and to creation itself and well let's just say my work can speak for it's self.
"Art is not a deed it is a way of life"
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