When selecting subject matter, I’m particularly drawn to landscapes and seashore environs. The subtle changes in atmosphere during the times of the day in any given season afford me the opportunity to achieve a specific mood or effect in my work. I am fascinated with fog and early morning light – stemming from my fondness of the Impressionist and Expressionist movements in Europe and in the United States. Images fade into the mist and I try to capture that visual in my painting.
In addition, the effects of sunlight can be equally exciting to capture as the dappled light brings warmth and shadows on the land and sea. The medium of pastel, which is my preference, allows me to explore the textures and colors of nature during the different seasons of the year and times of the day. Pastels also blend in a unique way due to the nature of the chalk-like medium and lend themselves to vibrant, soft, and subtle color variations and textures.
My latest group of pictures is representative of eastern seaboard locations from Maine to South Carolina. I work from numerous digital photographs that I take of subject matter and manipulate the photo on the computer to achieve my desired composition and effect. On rainy days, I look forward to visiting the marshes and shoreline in order to find that glimpse of the shrouded images that beckon my search for the next subject matter for my painting. On sunny days the light changes constantly and I again seek the chance to explore the colors of nature in the land.
If I could say it in words there would be no reason to paint. Edward Hopper
