tongue in cheek

In my work, I invite the viewer to consider a serious painting, an artwork that presents a carefully crafted, skillful representation of reality. I paint using techniques passed along through centuries of artists. Yet, what might the viewer consider as she looks at one of my works? She may see outsized Wingtip shoes overpowering an elephant figurine; a shadowy porcelain teacup facing a cheerful lemon; antique bottles and tea tins in juxtaposition with a bright yellow sugar bowl. Though the paintings are serious, my intent is often humorous, hence my work is “tongue-in-cheek.”

pixilated

Digitalization informs nearly every aspect of our lives. These small square omnipresent pixel are ubiquitous. Pixels blur our vision, soften the hard edges of objects and make reality less specific. Still, these little squares challenge the eye to find a familiar tangible form, even as they distort an image.

trompe l’oeil

The figures and faces of people, objects on a table, trees and plants in a landscape — all these things exist in the world. They have solidity, beauty and three dimensionality. Yet, when one draws or paints, the image created is always flat, two dimensional and false. The illusion of depth and dimension is false, as false as a photograph, a movie or computer screen.. I recognize this fact and I invite the viewer to do the same. I draw and paint to trick the eye but I do so by building a painting through the use of real, familiar objects. In this way, I illustrate my artistic dilemma and consider the true nature of seeing.