[2005]
ARTIST STATEMENT
My subject matter is primarily the local landscape vistas I love. They are what inspired me to begin painting and it still gives me great pleasure to be painting in a beautiful spot on a beautiful day. My style is generally painterly realism with two Hampton artists, William Merritt Chase and Sheridan Lord being my favorite influences. How realistic I paint depends entirely on the view in front of me and how it makes me feel. My goal, when painting a Hamptons scene, is to recognize the compelling feeling of the actual place in the feeling of the completed painting. Water, fields, greenery and man made structures get changed, maybe rearranged a bit, with a bit more dramatic color added to the natural colors nature has provided on that day, but the sense of wonder of the place remains intact. It is important to me that the final paintings be recognizable to those are familiar with the area. I paint in acrylics, frequently with glazes and the completed paintings will be built up with many layers of colors. Weather permitting; I prefer completing 90% of the painting en plein aire in order to stay in touch with the mood of the land and water. New paintings started in winter are worked from previously done sketches and photographs. They are often finished or reworked outside when the proper season comes around. I know the painting is nearing completion when I can look at the painting from 20 feet away and feel a pull urging me to walk in. My calm demeanor, my sense of humor as well as my love of the incredible light playing off the local vistas usually find their way into my landscapes. It is an excellent way to share with others the unique way I see things. Be that as it may, I believe that the work I produce is not about me and what I feel inside, but is rather all about the beautiful places I feel fortunate and privileged to be able to visit and paint. Because those places are disappearing to development, I spend almost as much time working with Peconic Land Trust and The Nature Conservancy to help save the views as I do painting them.
*********************************************