Statements from the Work
CELESTIAL PHASES SERIES – 2010-2011
Celestial Phases is a series of works inspired by the lunar eclipse during 2009 winter’s solstice. Celestial doesn’t necessarily mean pretty. Celestial bodies reside in a limitless Universe amidst powerful forces, both monumental and transformational. Astrologically speaking, the blood red moon, in perfect alignment with the earth and the sun invokes individual and collective shadow material, bringing issues to the surface to be dealt with, challenging us to address them as in a raising of light and consciousness. Living in this time of greatly accelerated change, our planet is experiencing major shifts in physical and energetic realms, both collectively and personally. We are confronted with natural disasters – such as the great tsunami in Japan, spot hurricanes that wreak split second devastation, as well as cultural wars, material disillusion and the disintegration of our economic and social systems. We must invoke great change and centeredness within ourselves and as a planet in order to deal with these shifts. We are not an island, but a planet interconnected in a Universal cosmic landscape. The lunar eclipse represents a gateway, a portal and time of transition, reckoning, breaking through fear and embracing transformation. My works explore these concepts not only in the purely physical sense, but further as a spiritual, allegorical and metaphysical journey through abstract landscapes having to do with the circle.
I am a Maine Artist. I feel this body of work illustrates the fact that Art coming from Maine can move beyond the traditional or purely regional/representational/landscape oriented work and embrace larger global/metaphysical themes.
Shingles & oil mounted on board w/galvanized brads
Soul Fragment Series - 2025
Acrylic, oil, charcoal, graphite & repurposed drawings on paper
Surrounded by Nature as we are, and walking on shore and in woods, things sometimes find your eye. On one particular day it was the amazing texture of tree bark. Lichen, lines of time, weather. Simultaneously, I had a pile of new shingles left over that had been haunting me. I brought them in to the studio and began by actually cleaning my brush on them (oil paint) from other paintings. Texture started happening and I put the two ideas together. Tearing into layers of the shingle created nice black line and new shapes incorporated as new layers. All of the above mounted on finished board.
The Tree Texture series actually became the springboard for what was to come next, Soul Fragment series. Working with mixed media (acrylic, oil, charcoal, graphite & repurposed drawings) allowed a certain flow and freedom for me. I referred to the abstract shapes arrived at in previous series, creating these new assemblages, which presented themselves further as inner landscapes. Figures emerging illusively, some suggesting relationships others solitary peering into an environment. Soul Fragments beginning to tell a story for me.
In illustration, Soul Fragments #5 speaks to a Journey of Spirits/Souls moving through portals in a landscape. The path has been rocky, but a figure stands peering and poised to enter a lighter place.
It’s not uncommon for me to experience a sense of channeling in my work. We live in both the Earthly and the Energetic Planes, swirling around and through us. These energies (if we are but open to them) move and express themselves physically, allowing a deeper view to the Inside.
Perhaps you will see something differently looking into the works, something of yourself?