In my portfolio, From Still Life to Real Life, I emphasize peculiarities, contradictory feelings, and the vibrancy of everyday life. I ask viewers to move between the expected and the unexpected. Expectedness comes from painting scenes as they appear. Unexpectedness comes from painting scenes mixed with imagination. Through color choices, texture, and pushing past observation, I focused on the imaginative aspect, the uncertainty of a great wave overcoming the boat, and an archway where emotions like longing to enter the lively party, emerge.
I prefer working from life, but I also love manipulating colors, perspectives, and composition. To play to the strengths of individual scenes, I experiment with a variety of materials. I added pumice, sand, and medium to oil paint to play with texture, and painted thickly with a palette knife. Pieces include bold-color choices and movement, using lines and strokes for a stronger impact. I was not afraid of starting a piece over, and used the opportunity to make it technically stronger through my understanding of new techniques and mediums.
Charcoal, white charcoal, and conté on blue paper
23" x 17"
Oil pastels on green paper
21" x 16"
Watercolor, calligraphy pen, and ballpoint pen on watercolor paper
9" x 12"
Acrylic on canvas
17" x 14"
Oil paint, pumice, and sand on canvas board
16" x 20"
Acrylic on canvas
17" x 14"
Acrylic on canvas board
20" x 16"
Acrylic on canvas
17" x 14"
Acrylic and pallet knife on canvas
9" x 12"
Colored pencil and India ink on recipe collage
Acrylic on canvas
Acrylic on gessoed road map
12" x 9"
Watercolor and pen on watercolor paper
12" x 9"
Oil paint, sand, and pumice on canvas board
12" x 9"