/ Emergence / Series

“When I say artist I mean the one who is building things – some with a brush – some with a shovel – some choose a pen.”
— Jackson Pollack

/ Emergence / is a series of paintings that explore the elastic elements of change, metamorphosis and emergence—how the human experience is constantly forming and reforming. The series is intended to conjure the fluid, and sometimes uncertain, feelings of an evolution from one thing or state of being, to something completely new and different. It is intended to spark the questions and awareness of what a radical transformation entails. And to honor the struggle. Similar to how the caterpillar one day ceases eating, hangs upside down from a leaf or branch, and spins itself a safe, silky cocoon, molts into a shiny chrysalis. There, from its protective and private casing, the caterpillar drastically transforms its body, eventually emerging as a winged being of flight.

Subtle human forms and interactions captured in seen and unseen environments are painted within textured mixed media (oil paint, oil pigment mixed with cold wax techniques, graphite stick, oil pastel). Rich layers of paint applied with brush, palette knife and large flat edges are intended to reveal, conceal and expose symbolic, metaphoric and abstract imagery—inviting the viewer into a closer examination of image, color, texture and movement.

What emerges is an expression of our ever-evolving human journey of self discovery through our physical and non-physical surroundings.

The / Emergence / body of work is intended to invite the viewer on their own journey of self-discovery and metamorphosis.

 

On Artistry.

I’m thinking of beauty and artistry, in its many forms, and how the simplest things that inform our mind and mind’s eye when there is space and presence to do so.

The role of art or artistry has little to do with functionalism or the creation of artifact. It has to do with changing one’s experience of what is real.

Art transforms the mind, the heart and awakens the soul.

Living with artistry has less to do with artifact and more to do with how we see and engage with the world around us, how we relate to that world, and how we move others and are moved by it. When we embody artistry as a way of being, we create a more intimate state of wonder with the world.

The role of the arts and the role of the artists, the role of leader is essentially the same. It is to find a way to diminish our isolation, and encouraging generosity and commonality. It is a change of our relationship to others. It is to change and evolve our relationship to the world. It is to change the world.

This is the courageous stance. This is the stance of artistry.