"A picture is worth a thousand words..."

"There has always been much debate about art's connection to life and vice-versa. As an artist, I feel that making art is my way of making sense of the world I live in; a learning exercise, a practice for good living. In return for my learning exercises, a tangible work of art is produced that can then in turn be interpreted by an audience according to their own life exeriences and lessons learned. My hypothesis is that my own and my audience's lessons will be close to the same and will then, in turn, be universal.

These paintings are, in a sense, "life mantras". The text is a verbal link to life and my interpretations of ancient wisdom. The pictures serve as illustrations of the lesson at hand. I find that my lessons are learned by comparing opposing principles. Indeed, it is the black/white, Yin/Yang, male/female etc. continuing dichotomies that make up the life force that drives us all to do what we do.

I use "dimestore" prints for the basis of my "lessons" because they usually portray an idyllic scene. a Nirvana of sorts, "perfect" examples of a "perfect" life. The "ghosting" I do on the paintings serves to isolate certain aspects of the painting that pertain to the text and make the images appear as if they were added to the work. I appreciate this effect because it provides a visual contradiction that is still cohesive with the verbal one.

My goals as an artist and as a human being are one and the same; to communicate with my fellow humans in an uplifting, wise, and constructive manner and to improve the general quality of life and feed hungry consciousness. With these paintings, I can achieve that with Beauty AND humor to boot!"