“Noble in Nature” Artist Statement

“Noble in Nature” explores my relationship with the natural world, experienced at my lakeshore home and at my tree farm in the Virginia Piedmont, each location connecting me with what my eye can see as well as the mystery hidden from view.

I use color, line, texture and form to weave visual stories. My painting decisions happen intuitively . . . communication coming first through the colors that reflect my feelings.

As a work grows I deconstruct; break apart, paint over and push back key elements as a variety of materials layer and build the over-all image/story. Some of my favorite materials include: unstretched awning canvas, Acrylic paint (drawn and carved into while wet), gesso, collaged mono prints, stampings, oil stick, hard pastel, and charcoal.

My over-arching theme is “nature/nurture.”

I want the adventure of something new . . . something that I haven’t seen before . . . showing itself.

Bee Tara pays homage to the pollinators represented here by the mythic protector Tara; a fierce and compassionate champion of the earth and all living beings.

My hope is that you will find a fresh perspective on the natural world, notice movement, shape and create your own metaphoric nature story; a story that speaks to your Noble Nature.

“Noble in Nature” virtual tour of the summer exhibition
at Norfolk Botanical Garden, Norfolk Virginia.

Estivation:

Some years ago I discovered, in an antique dictionary, a page with beautiful etched illustrations. The illustrations caught my eye and led me to Estivation.

Estivation, in botany, refers to the arrangement of the petals within a flower bud before it opens; prefloration.

Enjoy my Estivation series of 20 named design configurations of buds wrapped tight waiting to open fully.

I call them Prefloration Mandalas: