I have a color and spatial sketch in my mind before starting my painting. I begin by pouring the colors onto the surface of the background in various shapes and patterns. The shapes and forms emerge through the constant blending and manipulation of the paint; interlacing forms, bows and curves that constantly intersect to produce spatial structures which could be altered endlessly.

To cause something to change and flow, to make it relative suites me. I edit out and build upon what I feel is working. Sometimes when images come about by chance they are fresher more organic, more inevitably. Instinct takes charge. The composition of different forms, colors, structures, proportions, harmonies, etc. comes out as an abstract system analogous to music. Letting a thing come, rather then following a precise plan can be more genuine, richer, and more alive. Music filters into my work, like lines of dialogue. The rawness of experiencing sounds, from Mozart to Dylan, is what I try to translate into a visual vocabulary. Music relies on an established structure, one that allows for infinite expression of guttural emotion. That liberty within form inspires my own explorations in painting. Feelings, sensations produce a specific emotional effect.

In my black and white paintings the elimination of color creates a simplification that has to carry the emotion alone on the shapes and spatial relationships that are formed by the intertwining swirls and blobs of paint.

Chance plays an important role in my paintings however is never blind chance: it’s a chance that is always planned, but also always a surprise.

EDUCATION AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FINE ART

CHICAGO ACADEMY OF FINE ART

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS / B.F.A.



EXHIBITIONS THE TUCKER GALLERY / EVANSTON, IL. 2008

THE TUCKER GALLERY / EVANSTON, IL. 2006

THE TUCKER GALLERY / EVANSTON, IL. 2005

ILLINOIS CENTER / CHICAGO, IL. 2004

ZOLLA-LEIBERMAN GROUP SHOW / CHICAGO, IL. 2004

AUSTRALIAN EXHIBITION CENTER / CHICAGO, IL. 2002

LYDON FINE ART / CHICAGO, IL. 2002

ILLINOIS CENTER / CHICAGO, IL. 2001

LYDON FINE ART GROUP SHOW / CHICAGO, IL. 2001

LYDON FINE ART / CHICAGO, IL. 2000

SLOANE-JORDAN GALLERY / AUSTIN, TX. 2000

NEW INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION GROUP SHOW / WOODSTOCK, NY 1999

WESTMORELAND CENTER OF THE ARTS GROUP SHOW / PA 1999

QUINCY ART CENTER GROUP SHOW / QUINCY, IL 1999

MARYLAND FEDERATION OF ART GROUP SHOW / ANNAPOLIS, MD 1999

NAVARRO COUNCIL OF THE ARTS GROUP SHOW / CORSICANA, TX 1999

SLOANE-JORDAN GALLERY / AUSTIN, TX 1999

LYDON FINE ARTS / CHICAGO, IL 1999

OLIN FINE ARTS GALLERY AT WASHINGTON & JEFFERSON COLLEGE GROUP SHOW / WASHINGTON, PA 1998

THE BAKER ART CENTER GROUP SHOW / LIBERAL, KS 1998

TUBAC CENTER OF THE ARTS GROUP SHOW / SANTA CRUZ, AZ 1998

LYDON FINE ARTS / CHICAGO, IL 1998



COLLECTIONS NOVO NORDISK CORPORATION / PRINCETON, NJ

ILLINOIS CENTER / CHICAGO, IL

IRON FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT, INC. / WINNETKA, IL.

CHICAGO GROWTH PARTNERS / CHICAGO, IL.