Artist Statement

My Art has always been a spiritual and contemplative practice. I create art because it allows me to communicate with something that is greater then myself. I seek awareness and understanding of the underlying nature of the world through the creative process. For me, making Art is like catching a wave when I surf. Once the energy builds up, I harness that energy and ride it out in the medium I choose. Through my art I wish to connect viewers to the mysteries and wonders of creation and create a portal to the divine nature of the imagination.

I am an instinctual artist and I express my vision through colors and patterns. The right combination of colors, patterns, and forms can unlock states of higher consciousness. In todayís world of materialism and spiritual crisis, I feel it necessary for artists to rejuvenate the importance of spirituality in our culture. It is my goal as an artist to create windows between the material and spiritual realms. I believe I can achieve this not just through the use of my two physical eyes but also through the use of my third inner eye. It is for this reason that I have an ongoing theme of eyes in my work. I often portray eyes in my work to convey seeing beyond the surface of things.

The themes of my work fall into two categories and represent my idea of going beyond the surface. First is an internal landscape of the mind and my push to separate the layers of illusion and arrive at the core of our existence. The imagery in these paintings involves the awakening and separation of the human spirit from its physical body. Second is an external view of the world and the unveiling of the surface of the landscape. I call these paintings ìenergyscapesî instead of landscapes because I try to look beyond just the land and its scenery and paint the energy that is beneath the surface. There are some realistic elements to these paintings combined with more abstract interpretations. I feel that combining some recognizable scenes or monuments allows the viewer an access point into my painting.

Much of the symbolism in my work stems from my studies of ancient mystical traditions such as the kabbalah or shamanism. I am deeply inspired by the sacred forms and patterns of indigenous art and also attracted to the colors and techniques of contemporary visionaries. I often appropriate some of these sacred symbols in my work, such as the yin and yang or the star of David, because I feel they have a powerful effect on the viewer. Every ancient culture has meaningful symbols that represents their view of a greater truth about our world that is beyond words. My artwork shares their view of seeing the sacred in the world around us to help uncover the true nature of reality.

My artistic influences range from art of indigenous cultures such as Native American tribal art or Tibetan tangka paintings to more famous artists such as Picasso and Dubuffet. These artists admired and were inspired by the depth and beauty of so -called “primitive art.” I also feel deeply connected to the modern day visionary movement led by Alex Grey and Luke Brown. I appreciate all artwork that is visually stimulating and alive as well as communicating the spirituality of humanity.