Since childhood I have been moved when viewing the historical photographs of this
country's native people. Their faces and eyes inspire me - telling a story of sadness,
anger, and loss, as well as, a great sense of pride. A culture severed from their life-style
with an environment forever changed.
Working as a graphic designer and illustrator for many years, I have taken a very
disciplined and methodical approach to my work. The designer in me stretches balance,
pattern and precision while the painter in me is challenging terms of abstraction, realism
and technique. A fusion of these methods & ideas is my artistic goal in these
contemporary Native American portrayals.
My layered, mixed media, compositions are carefully thought out before any materials
are applied. I begin by rendering the face in pastel. This is the focal point and the key
feature to the overall feel and spirit of the piece. Various texturing mediums and natural
materials, as well as, acrylic paint are used on the subsequent layers
to achieve the dimensional and handcrafted appearance. I have an idea of my plan for
the color scheme, but let spontaneity and intuition dictate as the three-dimensional
layering develops and brings the art to life. The colors may evolve but the original
composition usually changes little and acts as a cohesive factor. From a distance my
pieces often appear as abstract graphic patterns and color fields. The texture, layering
and mixing of mediums invite the viewer to approach and participate. The closer one
comes to the painting the more interactive and mysterious they become. The heavy
texturing and layers add to the organic handcrafted sculptural feel and spirit of the piece.
In my Acrylic paintings I tend to focus more on the subject's emotional countenance and
strive for an harmonious blending with their surroundings. Many of my compositions
reveal a sense of distortion or fragmentation.
My computer rendered, digital images are unique because they depict traditional historic
subjects in a graphically bold and colorful way. Turn of the century questions examined
with a new millennium media.
The giclee gallery features selected mixed media & acrylic reproductions on canvas or
watercolor paper.
My hope is to evoke a sense of admiration, respect and compassion for the values of a
truly unique and beautiful
culture.
Specialty commissioned Illustration & Design available
to view sample - click here
Specialty commissioned portraiture work is also available--
To view samples - Click here
Please feel free to call me @ 515-955-4057 with any questions, comments or suggestions.
