between the grid lines

These paintings explore the mysteries of transparent monochromatic color within the underlying discipline of a grid.

A randomness of design is produced through a painting process governed by rules not readily apparent. The result challenges your eye to find a resting place but doesn’t provide one.  

My ColorField series rejoices in restriction and boundaries as well as in the mystery of color and visual movement. The emphasis is upon surface, delicacy of medium, positive and negative balancing, the absence of a focal point and the power of the color field.

I strive to create a visual space that awakens the viewer’s interest and spirit. To me they are very contemplative and calming.

My titles follow a simple formula. They identify the principal color and the number of cells in the organizing grid.

between flora and fauna

Some have described my sculptures as "line drawings in space” or “prehistoric spirits” revealing emotional truths and existential realities. Others have drawn artistic references to the spirit of Calder’s circus and the integration of time and motion in Giacometti’s figures.   I am compelled to make these Natural Creatures in order to discover and validate my creative potential as a human being. I hope they inspire others to imagine the world in new and delightful ways and perhaps recognize how connected we all are on this planet Earth.

My sculptural technique is called “Lost Wax” bronze casting, which has been part of our civilization for over 4,000 years. Modern methods of silicone mold-making can produce hairbreadth detail that is then skillfully transferred to wax form, to stucco shell and finally into solid bronze. Many expert foundry artisans are needed to successfully move from original plant shape to eventual metal one. Most exacting is the precise welding during the assembly of the many “sticks” of cast metal so that once again the spark of life is present in the sculpture. It's a very exciting moment when that happens. Euphoric — like a birth!

Natural Creatures exist somewhere between the plant and animal kingdoms, expressing thought and intention — as if they had dissolved their natural roots into the ground and had grown feet to move about as their new minds might wish. Surprise, shock, disdain and curiosity are all now available to what was once silently trapped in a hedge or a tree. I find that transformation thrilling and deeply personal. It is like creating life . . . perhaps my own.

These sculptures are naturally grown, precisely edited and faithfully cast in solid bronze. My plant materials include bougainvillea,  eucalyptus, cape honeysuckle, lemon, grapefruit and pyracantha. No additions or manipulations of form are allowed. What I discover, growing in my garden is what you see in bronze.

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