Oil on Canvas

Item Description

Oil on Canvas 12x12

Item Special Note

"I am a native New Englander whose family began vacationing in Maine when the Maine State Turnpike opened in the early 1960s. As an adult, I lived much of the time in neighboring New Hampshire and continued the tradition of spending time here during the summer. Finally, twelve years ago, becoming a Maine resident became a reality when we bought a house with a right-of-way to Biddeford Pool. For the first time, I began experiencing coastal Maine's four seasons and changes that time brings.

As a painter, I use oil paint almost exclusively. I loved it at age three when I got into my father's paints and saw the hardwood floor, and my body, as perfect vehicles for expression. If I close my eyes, I still hear my mother's scream. That introduction has stayed with me. Today I continue to love the way I can push and pull oil paint around my canvas. Expressive, abstract explorations of the landscape, particularly that of New England and the coast of Maine, are what excite me.

My aesthetic influences are artists who create or have created dynamic work. Twentieth Century art movements such as Italian Futurism and Abstract Expression have been important to my studio practice. Artist heroes include David Alfaro Siquerios, Yves Klein, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell, Jane Freilicher, Fairfield Porter, and contemporary painters, Lois Dodd, Anselm Kiefer, and Julie Mehretu. Lastly, my Dad (1922-2010) who hung up his suit and ties in 1986 ad painted full time. He exhibited until the week he died and will always be a hero, although our philosophies on art were quite different.

Being passionate about painting means one can work anywhere because a painter must paint. I have worked in old mills, borrowed studios, in kitchens, corners of living and dining rooms, on patios, in spare bedrooms, garages and in tents! My very large dream studio was built in Lenox, MA in 1994. But life has had its changes and now I have two smaller studios. A winter studio in my well-lit basement, and my current dream studio in a 14' x 16" high vaulted ceiling "she-shed" in my yard, where you'll find me from April to the end of October.

As a child, I began in earnest attending museum classes and working next to my dad in his studio. Art is a lifelong pursuit; I am always learning. MFA Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore: BFA University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth; summer 1990 & 1992 Richmond College in Firenze, Italy; Workshops with Sigmund Abeles and James Fortune, among others."