~ Artist Statement ~
My work is spontaneous, abstract, lushly textured and untrained. I often rework pieces continuously over long periods of time; however, some pieces express themselves immediately forcing me to stop. I live with them and work them until they "feel" right. You would often find 5 to 15 reiterations of an image or different images buried in the canvas or peering through the final expression. Instinctive detail, sensuous strokes, distressed space and dynamic chaos are exposed throughout the canvas.I am a COLOR addict & bend heavily towards Fauvist temperament. The Fauves purest passion and joy of creating inspires me to push my work beyond itself again and again.
I don't fear losing what was to discover what will be. Each progression is a new adventure, a mystery; an opportunity for growth, freedom, challenge, beauty and experience.
Classic artistic inspiration continues to be Gauguin, Cezanne, Picasso, Terlikowsky, Klimt, Matisse, de Kooning and Modigliani. Contemporary interests include Royo and Asaro.
I am driven to create figurative abstract, primitive in nature. I see the human figure everywhere in nature; the sky, the earth, fire, water... Technique and style could be considered to resemble that of Cezanne, Soutine and de Kooning. I consider my work to be New Abstract Exression as the true artistic strength lies in process and technique combined with abandon, instinct and passion.
I use high quality oils, canvas & palette knife exclusively in combining heavy impasto waves, slashing knifework, delicate scrolling & swirling strokes. Broken glass or old coins are sometimes incorporated into my pieces. I do not use thinners or drying mediums as I feel they dull the colorz & flatten or glaze out the texture so most pieces take several months to cure.
Human figures inspire me more than any other subject or genre. Female figures, particularly torsos or silhouettes provoke subtle, exquisite emotion. The stretch of a neck. The curve of a spine. Vulnerability and strength in position or gesture. In my eyes, a work of art should have a meaning which transcends the dimension and materials. It should have an impact on the soul and not merely the environment.
Art can provoke feeling or emotion which the viewer can't escape. What is she thinking? What is wrong? Where is she going? Where has she been? What is she doing? Peaceful, sad, lonely, searching, desperate, resting, hopeful, free.
Many of my pieces are accompanied by poems expressing inspirations or intuitions felt at the onset of creation or after worx are complete. They are not intended to define, only to stimulate the imagination in view of the exotic colorz, expressive distortions and feminine sculpting. It is very satisfying to create something so beautiful and so imperfect in the same respect.
Around 5th century BC, the story was originally told by Cicero and Pliny the Elder; of the ancient Greek painter Zeuxis, who in an attempt to portray the perfect beauty of Helen of Troy invited the most beautiful women in the city of Croton to model for him. From these he selected five, taking from each their best physical features to make a composite ideal.
"Classical myths played a strategic role in dissociating the nude model from any insinuation of immorality; at the same time they reinforced the idea that the female body provided a perennial source of inspiration for artist and connoisseur alike."
Studio Zeuxis ~ LA Hollins, Houston, Texas USA
~ Thank you for your interest in my worx ~ Peace ~ Z