What motivates me to paint is a need to express my connection to the inner and outer world and what I call the vastness of my being, which includes the “bigger picture” of life beyond the physical world. When I contemplate that I am a part of my Soul living in this physical world I realize that “I” am so much more than the me living this life. That realization feels so expansive and wondrous and enters into my expression through art.
I began painting in oils in the early 1980s, focusing on imagery from dreams and inner sight - visions in my inner eye that flash like moments of clarity on a speeding train. I would bring these inner landscapes of energy out into the world, and sometimes they would change during the painting process. In the last two years, I have had a complete change in my work.
I’m currently working with pastels, using photographs as reference. I am fascinated by light – especially light on water. I go so deeply into these pastel paintings, that it feels like a moment of quiet and stillness carrying me away from the stresses of the world. Using the medium of pastels has helped me to let go of the fear of drawing that I’ve had, and also to let go of perfectionism, bringing me to a place of wonder as the image I’m working on comes into being.
I find there are a few stages in the process – working on the drawing – I often do a few studies to get to know my subject. Then I choose the color of the paper I want to work on and lay out the drawing and then begin to add color. Somewhere in that process, despair comes up to mess with me and I keep moving forward and then it melts away into a feeling of wonder. It’s interesting to observe myself during this process and it feels like a deeper practice as I touch in on loving and becoming part of whatever image I’m working with, which brings me full circle to accessing the vastness of my being.
I began painting in oils in the early 1980s, focusing on imagery from dreams and inner sight - visions in my inner eye that flash like moments of clarity on a speeding train. I would bring these inner landscapes of energy out into the world, and sometimes they would change during the painting process. In the last two years, I have had a complete change in my work.
I’m currently working with pastels, using photographs as reference. I am fascinated by light – especially light on water. I go so deeply into these pastel paintings, that it feels like a moment of quiet and stillness carrying me away from the stresses of the world. Using the medium of pastels has helped me to let go of the fear of drawing that I’ve had, and also to let go of perfectionism, bringing me to a place of wonder as the image I’m working on comes into being.
I find there are a few stages in the process – working on the drawing – I often do a few studies to get to know my subject. Then I choose the color of the paper I want to work on and lay out the drawing and then begin to add color. Somewhere in that process, despair comes up to mess with me and I keep moving forward and then it melts away into a feeling of wonder. It’s interesting to observe myself during this process and it feels like a deeper practice as I touch in on loving and becoming part of whatever image I’m working with, which brings me full circle to accessing the vastness of my being.
Like what you see? Email me and let's connect.
Peaceful Waters
Joe's Meadow
Going Home
|
Dreaming Rock
Lake Ontario Atmosphere
Golden Moment
|
