Artist Statement

For many years my concentration has been to bring the realms of sacred and secular art together. My quest as a visual artist is to reveal beauty and spirit in the physical body of my panels and canvases. I use a variety of media and techniques in two, and three, dimensional formats. Scale plays an important role in my works as well. Traditionally I create in series and the thematic elements are consistent per series of works over a period of months and years.

The impetus to much of my work is derived from the sacred icon of the Eastern Church. The process and product of the traditional holy image is important in the development of these secular works. The abstraction of the human form and representational subject, that does exist in the traditional icon, is further dissolved in this art. The spiritual nature of the abstract process remains an important aspect of the development and maturation of by corpus of art. The use of precious metals and concerns of "real" light, "inner" and "divine" light are important in these works as well. Punching, stamping, and manipulating the surfaces in traditional and experimental ways is a fascination in my process.

Over the last decade my works are produced using the media from the Byzantine Medieval Period. Techniques such as egg-tempera, egg-oil emulsion, wax encaustic, mosaic, distemper, and others have been experimented with. My use of precious metals such as gold, silver and copper serve often as grounds that are traditionally prepared on panel, canvas and metal.

Communicating these images invites dialogue and helps to share the concerns of our humanity and divinity, important in our contemporary world. The power, beauty, and mystery of the process enthralls the visual artist. This opportunity to make art clarifies questions I address visually. Inevitably the products raise new mysteries which open new avenues of investigation and adventure.