Artist Statement

My intent is to create art that is fascinating and unpredictable. The flow of color and random patterns that emerge on the canvas make this painting style organically abstract, and a delight to create.

 

As I work, every painting energizes my imagination. The surprising direction the paint takes when it flows across the canvas compels me to try new ideas with motion, color, and medium.  Not knowing exactly what kind of discourse and harmony I will reach, is addicting. 

 

I use acrylic paints, recycled house paint, mediums, and water to achieve my fluid abstract paintings. I start by layering the separate elements into cups or any recycled vessel, then pour the erratic mix onto the canvas where the paint paints itself; I then manipulate the results by pooling, tilting, swiping, blowing, using a paintbrush, chopsticks, and straws, and spinning; it is a remarkably physical method of painting.

 

The making of this art allows me to detach from my expectations for order and process knowing that the paint has the final expression. Once my physical involvement is completed the painting will continue to change and morph into the finished art.

 

The finished painting can be accomplished in a few hours or may take many hours depending on my inspiration to manipulate the paint. 

 

My ideas for an image or color combination or technique always become something other than expected which takes me out of my comfort zone and redirects my professional architectural training. I have learned to accept what may reveal itself on the canvas. This style of painting has taught me to look at the world as it wants to be seen, organic, a little haphazard with amazing wonder to discover.

 

I started the fluid acrylic style of painting when I had writers' block. I had been painting colorful expressionistic landscapes and animals in my living room/studio, but when I needed an immediate creative jumpstart, that style of painting took too much time to prepare and more effort than I wanted to give to the process; and had I been inspired to write the painting would go unfinished for months. With fluid acrylics, the inspiration begins with mixing the paints. I can start and finish paintings freely and frequently; letting my mind relax to finally allow the words to come forth again. 

 

Alas, I have set aside the writing for now. I hope to inspire others with my experimentation of this fluid acrylic painting technique. I plan to immerse myself in the fascination of what I see in it and can make of it.