I work in a space between figuration and abstraction, shape and ground, in a classic expressionistic push-pull. I like to play with the picture plane as a flat surface as well as create a background that subsequently moves the viewer forward and back. My interest in a sensuous surface is evident in the juicy, liquid application of the oil paint.

Compositionally with these botanical paintings, I work with an enlarged and closely cropped image, abstracting sometimes to an unrecognizable point the identity of the actual plant. The high contrast of the colors focuses the eye to the edge of each distinct shape as it becomes a line. This contrast of the light-drenched backgrounds against darker plant forms showcases the idiosyncratic leaf and stem shapes.

Though draftsmanship is a hallmark of my work, I think of myself as a colorist and take supreme pleasure in the subtle relationships of contrasting pigments. Through washes of oil I allow traces of intense color to filter through, keeping the brush stroke visible, but subtle. The surfaces of these canvases allow the viewer to see the many layers of translucent paint.

Ultimately I’m drawn to the elegance and energy of natural forms such as palm fronds or bamboo, and the negative spaces between the leaves and branches. They afford me an abstracted experience with inherent contrasts, creating wonderful shapes that spin webs cross a neutral ground.