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Artist's Statement
Over
the past 30 years, I have pursued self-expression
through figure-drawing, painting, sculpting and pottery.
Figure drawing and painting have been my first love. The
content, symbolism, and technical expression of my
paintings are interwoven with my philosophical
contemplations, visionary experiences, and life
experiences. I have traveled through Europe, Greece,
Egypt, North America, Mexico, Central America, South
America, Tahiti, Thailand, and India, visiting art
museums, ancient ruins, temples and the peoples. I have
participated in many artist groups and self-awareness
groups such as: Jungian Dream Analysis, Art Therapy,
Dance Therapy, Self-encounter, Astrology and Eastern
Spirituality. I have become the student and friend of
many yogis and healers and have sponsored their visits
and lectures in my home. I teach art, as well as, yoga
and meditation. I also give astrological readings. I
honor all beings, Mother Earth, and the Divine Cosmos.
Over the years, I have painted a geometric series, a
surrealistic series, an abstract stain painting series
and a political art series which on the flip side led me
and my art into mysticism, visionary experiences, and
shamanism. For a period, the images of my political
paintings reflected the darker side of society, such as,
missiles, politics, sexism and war. I painted these
images hoping that society would reflect upon these, and
thus raise its consciousness. However, I found that the
morbidity of these chronic cycles of war and pain only
enhanced my own sadness and pain.
I wanted to paint images to alleviate humanities pain. I
contemplated upon love, prayer, and healing. I
contemplated, "What is the highest form of love,
beyond and without personal sentiment?" I
questioned how could I transform my political images
into prayer, blessings, and healing images. The painting
"Missiles and Coffee Cups" and the sculpture
"Missile Totem" led me into shamanism. Both
these art works started as a satire on society, but then
I turned the painting experience into prayer and ritual
by adding healing elements. My paintings now symbolize
the seeking of oneness through the union of opposites,
such as, the male and female, heaven and earth, the
human and the universe, etc.
When using acrylic paint, I paint spontaneously flinging
liquid transparent layers onto the raw canvas. This
experience feels primordial, because I get a sense of
connectedness with the cosmos when I attempt to create
images of stars, planets, and galaxies. Then I paint in
more detail with both thick opaque textures and glazes.
The transparent layers absorb into the canvas to convey
depths of space and colorful vibrations. The textures
create light reflections. For me it is a symbolic
parallel of the inner depths of the Self and the outer
expanses of life and space. I use color for its
symbolism as well its compositional effects in space. I
paint large areas of color as well as fine details. I
love to paint large mural size paintings so I can dance
using my whole body movement in the process of creating
art. A large painting encompasses the viewer as well as
draws them into the image. "Seeking Oneness"
is made of seven canvases bolted together to form a
twelve feet equilateral triangle. "Divine
Ecstasy" has a five foot nine inch square canvas
bolted over a nine feet circular canvas. My artwork is
said to be surreal, magical realism, visionary art, mystical art,
figurative art, mythical art, etc.
In 2002, I met Prof. Philip Rubinov-Jacobson who is a
brilliant Visionary Artist who teaches Mische' Technique
(Egg Tempera and Oil), also known as old master
technique as developed by the artist Van Eyck. I studied
this technique with Philip, during his wondrous 2-3
week workshops in Austria in 2002, Italy in 2003,
Germany in 2004, and Austria in 2005. I also studied a
similar technique with Robert Venosa and Martina
Hoffmann in Cadaque, Spain in 2006. They had all studied
under Ernst Fuches in Austria.
Mische' Technique is a wonderful medium for Visionary
and Fantastic Art. With the white egg tempera, I feel
like I am painting with white light. The egg tempera
paints very fine lined details as well as giving great
illusions of water and atmosphere. Between the fine
detailed white brilliance and the layering of colored
oil glazes, the paintings emanate a jewel-like
brilliance.
I am always learning and experimenting with new
techniques to create beauty, as well as express my
philosophical thoughts and symbolic images. I hope you
enjoy the exhibit. Please feel free to email me with any
of your comments or thoughts.
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