“If I could say it with words, there would be no reason to paint” - Edward Hopper
My work is a vivid expression of the landforms and lifestyles of Kansas and the Flint Hills region. Many of my paintings focus on landscapes, emphasizing our vast horizons and skies. I paint from life and this observation has challenged me to see past the local color and push my paintings into the unseen colors, shapes and shadows that are characteristic of my work. I have been greatly influenced with the work of Wolf Kahn by his use of color in landscape and also the paintings of Fairfield Porter with his re-creation of shapes and shadows. These influences are evident in my paintings.
Many of my landscapes are larger in size which communicates the massive openness of the Kansas plains. But, I also paint many smallscapes and sweetscapes. These smaller paintings are an important part of my problem solving process. This past year I have focused on unique characteristics of everyday life. Cattle have a certain curiosity to me and I am drawn to their interest in humans.
My materials are very traditional – oil paint on natural wood panel. I like to start a piece on location and then take many photos so I can finish the work in my home studio. For what I feel is a successful piece, I have many unsuccessful pieces. It is in the process of the “work” that gets a piece to the success point. I am grounded in the “work” of every painting.
My work is a vivid expression of the landforms and lifestyles of Kansas and the Flint Hills region. Many of my paintings focus on landscapes, emphasizing our vast horizons and skies. I paint from life and this observation has challenged me to see past the local color and push my paintings into the unseen colors, shapes and shadows that are characteristic of my work. I have been greatly influenced with the work of Wolf Kahn by his use of color in landscape and also the paintings of Fairfield Porter with his re-creation of shapes and shadows. These influences are evident in my paintings.
Many of my landscapes are larger in size which communicates the massive openness of the Kansas plains. But, I also paint many smallscapes and sweetscapes. These smaller paintings are an important part of my problem solving process. This past year I have focused on unique characteristics of everyday life. Cattle have a certain curiosity to me and I am drawn to their interest in humans.
My materials are very traditional – oil paint on natural wood panel. I like to start a piece on location and then take many photos so I can finish the work in my home studio. For what I feel is a successful piece, I have many unsuccessful pieces. It is in the process of the “work” that gets a piece to the success point. I am grounded in the “work” of every painting.
