The Formations Series

Fragments of lost worlds, rock materials provide tangible markers of past environmental episodes and hold clues to the evolution of Earth’s endurance and adaptability. 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?

The aesthetic qualities of rocks have captured my attention as long as I can recall and made me think about how those rocks came to be. It comes as no surprise that rocks and their various surface attributes take center stage in my current series of paintings. Each work highlights the intricacies of surface patterning found on actual rock materials that I photographed in California coastal areas. Presenting what I consider to be "a detailed account of a subject's essence" remains a key 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 detailed rock segments may take on other symbolic, abstract meanings without references to location and exterior elements.

Discovery, analysis, and interpretation are key elements for selecting each painting's subject. Choosing the right subject for a painting is utmost. Keeping in mind the hard work needed to produce each painting, 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 just waiting to be noticed and explored. 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 me as I proceed to present a subject’s challenging contents.

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