Abstract by Nature

Merging “Nature” and “Abstract” may seem contradictory, as the word “nature” conjures realism--what we see. Yet abstraction in nature is always present: “Real” colors in the right context can suggest something far different from their point of origin; Mother Nature’s shadows can transform trees into mysterious animals that further evoke fantasy. As a long-time photographer, I had enjoyed the challenge of replicating nature, particularly in landscape. As I delved further into painting and mixed media, particularly as I became immersed in the more internal sources of inspiration of abstraction, I began to experiment with shapes, textures, light and colors that significantly deviated from reality -- content that reflects the imagination of the artist and open to wide interpretations by the viewer. My work in this gallery is sometimes inspired by real visions from a lifetime enjoying the natural landscape/seascape, but just as often, by imaginary oceans, skies and terrains. Sometimes the point of inspiration remains unclear until that final brushstroke or splatter. I often find my best expression here through mixed media, particularly collage combined with paint as a means of presenting texture and varied plays with light. And sometimes the scene in my head requires reliance on paint alone.