Artist Statement

Just as I have a right hand and a left hand with which to create, I also have a right side and a left side of my desire to create: ​

The left side is attracted to the mix and match of this with that, like a scientist in the lab, looking for patterns to arise, pieces to be fitted together, and some sort of alchemy to stumble forth. I enjoy learning the standard properties of a medium or a surface and then looking for more what-have-we-here-today? The simple formula of “how can use wine as paint?” + learning the technique of using wax resist from batik and pysanky = wine stain portraits. This is just one stage of a fluid cascade of wondering about this and seeing a link to that, which fills me up with question marks and arrows that unfold into flowcharts.

The right side is driven by the simple fascination I have with the human body. The standard set of facial features almost reads as binary code: one forehead, two eyes, one nose, two ears, one mouth with two corners and one chin. But we look so vastly different from one another. Even in one face there is an inexhaustible exchange of expressions, which can cause one person to look completely different from one expression to the next. It is the chase and capture of this chameleonic delight that spurs me on. In addition, I cannot resist the delightful mysticism of a personality glowing through, with its chaotic and controlled counterparts.