Artist Statement

I create work that involves painting, mixed media, collage and photography, blurring the boundaries between these mediums. The multiple layers of paint, media, images and text, often biblical, laid down both reveal and conceal the meaning of the work and provides an actual physical depth to be explored. These works are meant to provoke the viewers’ visceral senses and imagination; the layering of images with mixed meanings echoes and reveals the layers and the inner complexity of my dreams, nightmares and emotions.

With my current series “There is No God but God” I am examining the juxtaposition of the Mid-Eastern philosophy of “there is no god but god” versus the Judeo-Christian dogma of “we believe in one god”.  Live Free.  Freedom.  Now that is something we are hearing a lot of, over and over again.  What does it mean and what is the cost?  My mind returns again and again to the images of people grieving, howling over the loss of their loved ones through war.  Everyday things like going to the market, ends in thousands of souls being blown to bits, just to buy milk for your children.  While it is easy for despair to take over; I believe in hope, in transcendence and in the fact that we are not different at all, we share the same wants and needs. These lives, our souls; aren’t we all one, tied together by a common thread?  One God and the collective soul of humanity.

My paintings are large scale, both on canvas and wood panel.  I start with a layer of text to create a grid in the background, even if completely covered with paint later.  I use unconventional raw materials, such as roof tar, bone, red food coloring, wax, to create mood and texture that is thick and viscous.  Then using hot political issues, I mix it up with text, pop culture images, stencils, and symbols to create works that are a combination of personal commentary, religious and moral teachings, political outrage and social observation.  This process of working with disparate imagery and the revelations it produces morphs and evolves as I work. Often the imagery and core meaning of the painting is very personal and emotionally gut-wrenching, so that not being able to discuss it verbally, I present it visually.  Part humorous, part tragic, I want to help others to see with my eyes, my perceptions and realities.