Turning Life Into Art

About the Maker

Painting allows me to interpret life, whether it is joyfully, cynically, literally or sorrowfully. Color and energy are my primary focus as I seek to make a genuine emotional connection with the viewer. For instance, a hint of a particular color in a landscape might lead me to make it the predominant one, luring it out of hiding in a way that adds vibrancy and movement. Though I often depict the stark and stunning landscapes of the Southwest, I enjoy using symbolism in my work as another effective way of conveying a particular thought or emotion. The addition of several layers of shapes, colors, patterns and lines before I ever begin to paint my subject adds depth. The closer one stands in front of the painting, the more one can see. This technique is one I employ not only for landscapes but for many other subjects. That’s why I rarely create a completely literal piece or work in photorealism – I prefer instead to blur the artistic lines between imagination and reality.