"I don't know a rock until I paint it"

Fragments of lost worlds, rock materials contain tangible markers of past environmental episodes, offering a glimpse of Earth's endurance and adaptablity. As often noted, even the tiniest stone has its own story to tell. How did this rock begin, where did it come from, and what on Earth made it look this way? Answers to these and other questions are only first steps to understanding how those rocks came to be.

The aesthetic qualities of rocks have captured my attention as long as I can recall. From the start, there was always a good reason to take a close look at rock materials, to collect rocks, and later on to capture their features through the lens of my camera. Often resembling "hidden landscapes", each rock's one-of-a-kind surface markings reflect a myriad of lace-like, exquisite design possibilities. One can only imagine the combined natural forces needed to create intricate patterning across a hard stone surface. Experiencing this ongoing "discovery process" brings joy to my eyes each time I portray a rock's unique imagery on canvas.

Presenting a detailed account of a subject's essence remains a clear objective in my painting style and work. Details in their many forms bring surfaces to life and define a subject's resilience and beauty. Each painting involves a delicate balance between realism and abstraction. Realism plays a dominant role in my work through an investment of detail. Yet as in some of my paintings, without including specific references to location and exterior elements, detailed rock segments may take on symbolic or abstract meanings.

Discovery, analysis, interpretation are key elements for selecting each painting's subject. Choosing the right subject for a painting is a priority considering the hard work needed to produce each piece. Many rock subjects are reviewed before making a final decision. My photographs of rock segments provide a starting point for gathering information. Studying details in each photograph brings me to "the heart of the matter" as I enter a world of hidden lines and shapes embedded within elaborate configurations. After selecting a patterned segment that meets certain criteria, the subject matter is ready to come alive on canvas using multi-layered brushwork. No doubt a new adventure awaits as I proceed to present a subject's challenging contents.

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