my work continues to focus on light, color, composition and a sense of place, and with the addition of figures, a leaning toward narrative. in paintings with no figure present, there is a feeling that someone has just left the room or that the stage is set for someone to arrive.

since returning to oils eight years ago (after a 20 year exploration into other media) i have been delighted with the rich color, depth, and lushness that are inherent in this versatile medium. i have always felt a kinship with my favorite painters of the late 19th century, as well as the earlier painters of the italian renaissance, and the dutch painters of the 16th century. the colors in these paintings are not so much darker, but richer and it is the extremes of contrast that give the work its vibrancy, and a sense of mystery, intimacy, and timelessness.

i have chosen to make my own painting surfaces, gluing belgian or italian linen on to wood panels with rabbit skin glue, and then making a traditional glue gesso. this technique creates a painting surface that is unavailable on the commercial market today, and has a unique absorbency and rich surface qualities that make it a joy to paint on. Designing and finishing my frames completes the process, and is the perfect compliment to my paintings. i have the molding custom milled and than shape the corners, texture the surface, and add many layers of the glue gesso, which is tinted with venetian red pigment. some of the frames are gilded by hand, using the oil size method. the frames are then painted (with my secret formula) and paste waxed for a luminous sheen.

i hope you enjoy this new work, which is homage to the world and life around me.

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all artwork © of the respective artists.