Acrylic, 22 x 22 inches
Another Uprising, acrylic, 22 x 22 inches

As an abstract artist a question I often ask is “how do I capture something real without using recognizable visual references?” The answer varies from painting to painting.  However, my approach to composition is the same.  I start with a quickly rendered under-painting, usually in black, then I cover it with layers (and layers) of color.  These veils of color create space that can be illusive, like mist, or hard as a rock.

Currently I’m at work on the Uprising Series, which explores the themes of conflict, resolution, and transcendence.  This series, begun in 2011, initially focused on the concept of transition. I realized the content of the paintings reflected current world events – particularly the Arab Spring.  The word ‘uprising’ was everywhere in the news about rebellions in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, and now, Syria, and Turkey.  So I began to focus on conflict and resolution based on the political unrest taking place in North Africa and the Middle East. Although I am inspired by specific ideas or occurrences – memories of Morocco, the burning of a shrine in Tunisia, displaced Tauregs in Mali — the paintings are always open for interpretation.