Statement:

I have recently discovered statues as subject matter. The Statue Theme is an expansion of the Still Life Series that I have been doing for several years: allowing a fragment of humanism into the paintings but also keeping a relative amount of detachment. The imagery I use is not symbolic to me on a conscious level. It is nonemotional subject matter with the exception of a few paintings which are the “Soldier”, dismembered male statues, influenced by the suffering and amputations caused by the insanity of war, bombs, violence, battle, destruction. 

The emotion is conveyed through expression of color, line, movement, and distortion of imagery. Most objects I use are recognizable, yet not significant to me in meaning. They are significant in form and enable distortion of form for the expression of emotion. The imagery I use helps the viewer, because it is recognizable imagery used in many historical paintings.

Color and line, contrasting and skewing perspective, displayed and sometimes surrealistic backgrounds or landscapes are used. Pattern is also important as a backdrop, furthering the abstraction while continuing the consistency of flat space – a Matisse influence. I’ve also added words, so the viewer may understand my influences and give tribute to greatness.