Urban Abstractions

 

When I first returned to painting after 50 years, I only thought in traditional two dimensions. Yet within a few weeks I felt compelled to try different ways of applying paint that gave the works depth, that created layers and multiple avenues to interpretation. Inevitably I turned to "art papers" (commercial and home made), cardboard, bubble wrap, found materials, and a variety of acrylic mediums, exploring textures, light and color in combination with paint. I love playing with fluid paints that can be squirted, splashed or sprayed. They provide energy. I also experiment with a variety of pastes and gels that act as topographic maps, crevices, wrinkles, canyons, and use a variety of tools and objects to carve or emboss more texture and more layers. Many of my works are third or fourth generations—that last layer providing the rationale for the first. Although I might have a general direction in mind when I start, sooner or later the materials find their own path. And yes, sometimes just paint is enough; a few of my works are simply “acrylics on canvas” or several paints (acrylic, house paint, acrylic paint markers) without additional materials. 

“Urban Abstractions” are not necessarily “city” scenes or inspired by specific urban areas, but reflect my attraction to the energy, colors, sounds and motion typical of urban environments. Some of this inspiration actually comes from the vibrancy of smaller settings, the graffiti found in a small park, the cacophony and upheaval of destruction and renovation wherever it is found.

 

Fact Check. 30”x30” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Surreality. 40”x30” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Island. 30”x40” acrylic on canvas, black wood float frame. Original artwork available.

Triplex. 24”x18” mixed media on wood panel. Original artwork available.

Gold Streamers. 24”x20” acrylic on canvas. Original artwork available.

Pier 218. 24”x20” acrylic on canvas. Original artwork available.

Winter Sun. 24”x36” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Redacted. 24”x36” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

RAGBRAI. 20”x24” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Ghost Parade. 20”x24” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Contrafact. 30”x24” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Orchard Street. 16”x20” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

‘S No Bird. 18”x24” mixed media on wood panel. Original artwork available.

Grossbeak. 24”x30” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

“Summer Vortex,” 36”x36” mixed media on canvas. Original art available.

Convictions, 24” x 36”, mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Spring’s Bitter Suite. 24”x36” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Coast to Coast, mixed media art. Paper, cardboard, photos, and paint on canvas. 30”X48”. Original artwork available.

Viral Equinox, 24”x30” mixed media. Mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Virtual Rehearsal. 24”x30” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Eastside Lines, 16” x 20” mixed media on canvas. Original art available.

Daffodils. 24”x18” mixed media on panel. Original artwork available.

Judgment. 24”x36” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Phantazzo. 36”x36” acrylic on canvas. Original artwork available.

Labyrinth. 30”x24” acrylic on canvas. Original artwork available.

I Can Dance. 36”x24” acrylic on canvas. Original artwork available.

Cover Up. 30”x30” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Eyewitness News. 24”x18” mixed media on wood panel. Original artwork available.

Paper Trail. 36”x48” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Winter Morning Rush Hour. 24”x20” acrylic on canvas. Original artwork available.

Spring in Mariupol. 36”x36” acrylic on canvas. Original artwork available.

Open Studio. 24”x30” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Gold Coast. 24”x30” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Classified Documents. 24”x36” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Overture. 16”x20” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Red Bird, Black Bird. 24”x30”, mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Letter From Julie. 18x24, mixed media on wood panel. Original artwork available.

“Raven’s Dance,” 24”x30” acrylic on canvas. Original artwork available.

Last Words. 24”x30” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

“Infinity.” 24”x36” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Circus. 36”x48” acrylic on canvas. Original artwork available.

Dust Devil. 24”x20” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Tectonic Shifts. 30”x24” mixed media on panel. Original artwork available.

Recycled. 30”x24” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Objects of Inspiration. 24”x30” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Tipping Point. 30”x40” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Buried the Headline. 30”x24”mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Burnt Offerings. 30”x24” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Summer Quilt. 20”x24” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Mid-Term Elections. 24”x20” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Metro Transit. 24”x20” acrylic on canvas. Original artwork available.

Windy City. 24”x30” mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Atonal Remnants. 18”x24” mixed media on wood panel. Original artwork available.

Manhattan Passage. 24”x30” mixed media on wood panel. Original artwork available.

“Free Vibrations,” 24”x30” mixed media on canvas. Original art available.

Make Art, 18”x24” mixed media art. Mixed media on wood panel. Original artwork available.

Southside Soundtrack. 20”x16” acrylic, paper on canvas. Original artwork available.

Tendrils, 20x24” acrylic painting. Mixed media on canvas. Original artwork available.

Wind Sprints, 24”x36” acrylic painting. Paint on canvas. Original artwork available.