2018 Artist Statement

2016 Artist Statement 2 Volumes

2016 was a very busy year for making art. I created so much new work that it takes 2 volumes to share them with you.

The first volume includes:

• The University of Florida, College of Art Series • A European tour with a focus on Jazz Festivals • Various portraits • First Robotics. A club I joined as a mentor.

• The second volume consists of:

• Music-themed work; • Landscapes • Various influences

2016 Highlights of Volume 1

UF College of Art Series - Using a unique color palette I refreshed the UF College of Art building giving it an abstract feeling and modern charm. Plus many more.

Sax Flower Fireworks - I discovered a setup at a flower shop that used a Sax and some flowers. I took that as an inspiration and came up with this beautiful combination.

Portrait of Jim Boring - The portrait of my friend and colleague, Jim Boring, a poet and writer is another highlight. I love the use of the titles of his work being used as design elements. Since writing is his magic I believe this portrait captures some of that. Jim is one of the very few people that recognize all of the efforts I take in making art and admires not just the work itself but the craftsmanship of the human hand. The Robotics Collection - One of the most valuable things about making paintings if not the most valuable part is how the reflection upon the subject can give you insight that you didn’t have before. In the case of the robotics paintings, I discovered that not only were the kids making the robots but in teaching them the skills to make robots that robots themselves were making the kids. It is a very subtle difference and yet crucial to perception.

2016 Highlights of Volume 2

Diane’s Birthday - based on a drawing of my wife, Diane, facing a band. The live drawing resulted in capturing patterns where all the figures became integrated into the overall pattern. In this way, the figures are not separate objects but act as one. When I chose this drawing to make a painting the colors were missing so I invented them to enhance the patterns.

Pete’s Garage is a great example of an advanced digital iPad project. I took a tall ladder to capture the source image to create a unique perspective, then sliced it over and over to build a set of shapes. I paid a lot of attention to the lighting building the composition slowly and deliberately. The result is a complex painting that is also a playful and creative composition.

Polar Bear / One Long Road - my son, Jaime, playing bass guitar has a strong sense of feeling. The music must have been loud and driving when I did the drawings, as the work has an edginess to it. I achieved a kind of rawness with the final pieces.