Artist Statement
The current body of work explores images drawn from the immense visual clutter of contemporary life and historical memory. In a sense, these paintings record the history of the present, with a strong personal meaning and emotional resonance. This pursuit often involves feelings of disturbance, loss, wonder, confusion, empathy, and irony.
I see my work in the continuum of the narrative tradition developed in the Netherlands. As an immigrant, my work has evolved in response to my American experiences–the scale has changed, form is clearer, and color more vivid. Memories of my childhood in war-torn Holland, because of the separation of time and space, have become more allegorical, while the here and now both scares and amazes me.
I continue to be inspired by the Dutch still life painters of my youth who explored stillness, the way light plays over simple things, how order manifests in chaos, how things collapse and disintegrate over time and yet retain a silent beauty. Consequently, entropy in the modern world has been a recurrent theme in my work.
Often I have a fairly clear idea of a painting I want to make, and it frequently involves considerable research and travel. Depending upon circumstances, I may make a number of preliminary studies, which can be seen as independent works. Working from nature usually comes first, often in complex technological settings. I work spontaneously, without preliminary drawing, generally with large Sumi brushes, pigment, and water. Sketchbooks are used to make studies to expand on later. When the need occurs, I make photo documentation or large photo mosaics.
Often a theme develops into a number of works or a small series of related pieces in various techniques. A lot of it is deliberate, but as a work evolves it starts to “speak to me” and intuitive, spontaneous elements play an important role. Many of my paintings are quite large and complex. It may take me several months to complete a piece.
I like there to be a strong, clearly developed narrative, pushed along by the composition, and use of light and color. I want there to be an element of conflict, of inner tension within the piece, both in content and formal development, for example, a painful subject and elegant technique.
I would like viewers to see serious, complex paintings, which attempt to give meaning to the world around us, which often seem to have little obvious meaning or resolution. Paint handling, surface qualities, carefully blended color relationships, atmospheric perspectives, and depictions of materials are all important. I would like them to see serious, complex paintings, which attempt to give meaning in the form of cultural expression to things, which often seem to have little meaning or resolution. I continue to be inspired by the Dutch still life painters of my youth who explored stillness, the way light plays over simple things, how order manifests in chaos, how things collapse and disintegrate over time and yet retain a silent beauty. Consequently, entropy in the modern world has been a recurrent theme in my work.
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