As an artist I want to share more than a pretty picture. I want to share my thoughts, ideas, social and political philosophies – my life – and I want to do that through art. When I start with a blank page I think about where I’ve been with my artwork, but also where I’m at now and where I’m going. Sometimes I’m still in a certain place with my artwork and not ready to move on, but right now I’m feeling the stirring of change and I can see it emerging in my current artwork. Sometimes the “intent” can be changing subconsciously, and I believe that’s exactly what is happening now.
Recently I’ve seen the bright orange colors lose their strength in my artwork, and that was one of the strongest colors that represented Covid in my work, so I knew there was change in the air. Also, during my time dealing with Covid’s impact on my life my artwork became completely abstract, and through the use of texture and color I expressed my feelings instead of symbolic or representational images. Today, the vaccines are rolling out and hopefully within the next 6-8 months we should see masks and social distancing end, so there is a feeling of impending freedom in the air. In fact, in my mind I’m looking out the window and I’ve already left the house!
Another observation, my artwork started to look more and more like topographical maps… maps… well there’s a hint. It seems these “maps” are a way of embracing a new road to move forward on, a new journey, new lands and places to see, and even if its still just in my mind I am watching this process and excited about where I’m going next. Last week I found a beautiful piece of nature, a squiggly leaf, and it intrigued and inspired me to draw some lines, and next thing I saw a totally new work emerge. It was as if my blue/green world was moving onward and upward across the page and the orange grip of Covid was falling away and receding, so I’m excited to start drawing more lines and see what happens to that next blank page.
Here are a few photos that show a change is happening in my artwork.
Lots more movement and open space 
The orange color is losing its strength 
Less orange 
No orange 
Mysterious places 
Another land 
Squiggly leaf 
Playing with lines 
Playing with colors 
The color palette 
Positioning the contrasting colors 
Voyager – I’m moving forward
I’m calling this next group of artwork my Voyager Series, because we are all about to embark upon new voyages and travels once our world opens back up. Exciting times ahead!