Direct observation of nature is the starting point for all my landscape and urban scenes. Rooted in the traditional American and European schools of painting, I draw inspiration from Edward Hopper, the Hudson River Painters, Constable, and Corot among others.
Depicting actual places grounds my work in the present while my traditional approach places it within the history of Western painting. Plein air paintings may be complete in themselves or they may serve as reference material for larger studio works. I don’t use photographs for reference instead relying on imagination and memory to fill in any gaps.
Form, space, and light take my work beyond a literal record creating compositions with strong abstract foundations that inspire a spiritual emotional, and psychological response. Ultimately the work is meant to encourage restful contemplation.