During
the course of my artistic life, I've researched many artists. I've also
explored many methods of painting. I've spent countless hours contemplating art
and its relationship to me, and its significance to life in general. I've come
to the realization that the more of an "artist" I become, the less I
understand. Art, to me, is like living in a world of uncertainty, and in this
uncertainty, I must rely on creativity to pull me out into clarity. I believe
that if I understood every aspect of the paintings (or art) process, pure art
would not be attained. Instead the art object would be a rehash of old
thoughts, notions and conditionings. If my awareness of every decision that
goes into a painting were visualized internally, then the art object would be a
residue of this. In my opinion, this approach leaves little for discovery.
Instead, through my art, I place myself into a "situation" that has
no apparent solution, thereby requiring a level of creativity to resolve this
dilemma. This "situation" can be attained by the application of
color, or a random image within the canvas and is brought about through the
process of "chance". Incorporating chance in my work is a way of
separating myself from what occurs on the canvas. In this way, I become the
spectator. The "situation" then becomes a spring board for ideas. It
is then that I rely on intuition, or conscious thought, to complete the work.
In this way, I can never know the outcome of a work until its completion. I
also am conscious of the errors within the works. These are intentional. I feel
as though technology bombards us with slick, polished, and perfect images. Our
"human" touch is not seen as a necessity of art. Yet, I enjoy looking
at art that can give me a sense of a human presence, with all its trials. |