Charleston, SC
Spirit and passion is at the heart of my work as the strong color draws work is driven by color, usually the colors of the sea and sun, having grown up by the sea in the Carolinas. Conscious of the principles of design, I begin my work on the canvas with both harmony and emphasis in mind. I plan for the focal point until it appears, and ensure the composition utilizes value as a way for the viewer to enter into the painting. Next, rhythm moves the attention in a natural way toward the focal point where the eye can rest, relax and explore to the other areas, delighted by the colors, values, and satisfying balance/cohesiveness of the piece. I use a pallet knife and heavy body acrylic for texture which adds the nicest surprise at the end of the journey. I like to think of my painting as more of an orchestration, rather than a process. You can also notice in "Wondrous" a very deliberate negative space which gives a pleasing rest to the eye and helps to organize the piece while adding drama. Color becomes movement—an untamed convergence of the sea, earth, and sky. Deep blues and forest greens clash and intertwine with bursts of ochre and white, evoking the pulse of a living landscape caught between calm and chaos. Broad strokes suggest both the violence and vitality of nature.
