My Personal Philosophy on Art...

 

My art is an exploration of vulnerability and balance. I believe in being honest, allowing my strengths as well as my flaws to shape the work I create, as I’m not interested in perfection—only harmony through balance. Each element of my paintings, from lines to color, brushwork to subject matter, must coexist seamlessly, without one overshadowing another. I strive for contrasts that work in unison, where thick and thin strokes, light and dark tones, come together to create a whole. My goal is to make art that invites pure, intuitive enjoyment, where the viewer feels the piece as a unified experience rather than focusing on individual details. This is my aim. I may not have fully achieved it yet, but that's okay. I am a work in progress.

​Artists draw inspiration from many sources. One of mine comes from a History of Rock-n-Roll class I took in college. The teacher was discussing an old Elvis Presley song about throwing out some pots and pans. He had us listen to the underlying emotion beneath Elvis's voice. The teacher asked us to pay attention to the rising tension, even though the voice was very controlled. I related this to my own work at the time, and it has stayed with me ever since. If you look at my paintings, objects may have strong outlines, but within those controlled lines, my brushstrokes are relatively loose.

 

I choose subject matter that I'm emotionally invested in ninety-nine percent of the time. When I do, I step back and approach the subject analytically.

 

I'm a sucker for detail, though not photo-realistic detail—although I used to marvel at such paintings as a teen at the J.B. Speed Museum. I've always liked the phrase, "God is in the details," meaning that whatever one does should be done thoroughly and well. Perhaps my go-to quote for my art, since my early twenties, is by the French Impressionist Edgar Degas: "Nothing in art must seem to be an accident, not even movement."

 

Though my path is set on my artistic journey, I appreciate all types of art genres and styles. (For example, my Spotify spans nearly every musical genre.) I love and am fascinated by abstract art or edgier works that may make me uncomfortable, though I can't do them myself. However, when someone pours their heart into creating something with their own hands, as long as it's not hateful, I can always find something to appreciate. Anyone who puts themselves out there in this way deserves respect for that alone.

 

I gain much of my inspiration from my students' work. As a teacher, I have the rare opportunity to see art through a new set of eyes with every class. No matter one's age, everyone has a unique perspective. My job as an instructor is to help students channel their vision and ideas through art. Visual art is not a one-and-done; it's a way to view and experience life. I am not just looking at something; I am seeing it. Art is about being able to strip something down to its base form and then rebuild it according to one's interpretation. It also makes for great wall décor.