The Great Wall!
Artist Statement
"A painter transforms the sun into a yellow spot, an artist transforms a yellow spot into the sun"
- Pablo Picasso
- Pablo Picasso
The medium is not the message, but it is the primary driving force of my art.
When creating my acrylic and resin works, I love the adaptability and unlimited potential of the medium; it allows for great spontaneity and quick changes in direction at any moment. My process as an acrylic artist is really about play, without confines as to how I use the materials, using spray and squeeze bottles, palette knives, splashing, splattering, and the occasional brush. Resin also allows for great variety in methods of application including many used with acrylics, as well as the addition of heat via torch and heat gun.
In my "landscapes" flowing, whimsical applications of colour evolve into representational, somewhat abstract, forms inspired by living things: trees, roots, water.
Simplicity of composition is common to all my work, regardless of the medium used. An similarity of style has emerged between my past Chinese Brush Painting and current acrylic and resin pieces.
As simple as it sounds, the actual process of applying paint to a substrate is what motivates me to create art. I'm not attempting to make thought provoking social commentary or present a refreshing new philosophy. I appreciate art that makes you smile, calms your soul and inspires awe in the beauty that surrounds us, so I try to produce the same. Perhaps that is a philosophy after all.
When creating my acrylic and resin works, I love the adaptability and unlimited potential of the medium; it allows for great spontaneity and quick changes in direction at any moment. My process as an acrylic artist is really about play, without confines as to how I use the materials, using spray and squeeze bottles, palette knives, splashing, splattering, and the occasional brush. Resin also allows for great variety in methods of application including many used with acrylics, as well as the addition of heat via torch and heat gun.
In my "landscapes" flowing, whimsical applications of colour evolve into representational, somewhat abstract, forms inspired by living things: trees, roots, water.
Simplicity of composition is common to all my work, regardless of the medium used. An similarity of style has emerged between my past Chinese Brush Painting and current acrylic and resin pieces.
As simple as it sounds, the actual process of applying paint to a substrate is what motivates me to create art. I'm not attempting to make thought provoking social commentary or present a refreshing new philosophy. I appreciate art that makes you smile, calms your soul and inspires awe in the beauty that surrounds us, so I try to produce the same. Perhaps that is a philosophy after all.
My "history" in art (otherwise know as my biography)
I am a Canadian artist, born in Winnipeg in 1966 and currently living on Vancouver Island. I work in epoxy resin, acrylics, and ceramic sculpture.
While living in Germany during my formative years, I developed a love of travel, discovering new cultures and an appreciation of different art forms. I began working with watercolour while living in California in the 1990's, and headed home to Vancouver Island in 1996. I made the switch to acrylics in the early 2000's as part of a move toward exploring more physical texture in my work.
In Japan from 1989 to 1991, I fell in love with the beauty of Asian art forms such as ikebana and origami, but especially the ancient traditions of brush painting. A return to my watercolour "roots" in 2009 meant the beginning of my infatuation with Chinese Brush painting. Although the materials vary greatly from acrylics, Chinese Brush painting fits with well with my preference for simplicity of composition and still allows spontaneity.
I am mostly self taught but have studied under several excellent teachers. From classes at local colleges, to workshops in China and California, I continue to explore new methods and ideas. I have attended several workshops with Dr. Ning Yeh in Chinese Brush painting.
My newest addition to my work is one of a kind resin homewares; charcuterie boards, trays and coasters.
I am looking forward to expanding my ceramic process to combine clay sculpture with a painted and/or resin finish (as opposed to glazed). I am thrilled to be assisting and learning from Beth Cavener in Helena, Montana.
I have shown work in California and on Vancouver Island, most recently in the Red Tree Salon Show in Courtenay, BC. I participated in the Originals Only Fine Art Show in Comox, BC from 2014 to 2019, the Central Island Artists Studio tour in 2014 and 2015, as well as the Woodland Gardens Artisan Festivals every year.
While living in Germany during my formative years, I developed a love of travel, discovering new cultures and an appreciation of different art forms. I began working with watercolour while living in California in the 1990's, and headed home to Vancouver Island in 1996. I made the switch to acrylics in the early 2000's as part of a move toward exploring more physical texture in my work.
In Japan from 1989 to 1991, I fell in love with the beauty of Asian art forms such as ikebana and origami, but especially the ancient traditions of brush painting. A return to my watercolour "roots" in 2009 meant the beginning of my infatuation with Chinese Brush painting. Although the materials vary greatly from acrylics, Chinese Brush painting fits with well with my preference for simplicity of composition and still allows spontaneity.
I am mostly self taught but have studied under several excellent teachers. From classes at local colleges, to workshops in China and California, I continue to explore new methods and ideas. I have attended several workshops with Dr. Ning Yeh in Chinese Brush painting.
My newest addition to my work is one of a kind resin homewares; charcuterie boards, trays and coasters.
I am looking forward to expanding my ceramic process to combine clay sculpture with a painted and/or resin finish (as opposed to glazed). I am thrilled to be assisting and learning from Beth Cavener in Helena, Montana.
I have shown work in California and on Vancouver Island, most recently in the Red Tree Salon Show in Courtenay, BC. I participated in the Originals Only Fine Art Show in Comox, BC from 2014 to 2019, the Central Island Artists Studio tour in 2014 and 2015, as well as the Woodland Gardens Artisan Festivals every year.
