Above and Below

I am painting natural forms above and below the surface of water.   Coral skeletons, sea urchin shells, dense rock cliffs and memories of swimming are some of the sources I am drawing from.  I am not attempting to copy nature by rendering an exact likeness; rather, I am working from invention in pursuit of a place that is not part of our world, yet is familiar, haunting and calls for exploration.  

Secret Gardens

I am painting secret gardens.  I draw from natural sources such as tumbling masses of verdant vines, blossoming flowers, uncoiling ferns and water-lily ponds.  I also study Persian miniatures, medieval illustrated manuscripts, Pennsylvania Dutch Fraktur paintings and illustrations of natural curiosities.  As I am painting, imaginary creatures appear and structured garden walls are formed within these small scale works on paper.  Striving for a sense of clarity and mystery, I play with themes of containment, discovery, secrecy, exuberance, what is hidden and what is revealed.