5″ x 5″ – Oil on Wood

The Shape of Things is a 5″ x 5″ study for a larger oil painting. Even though it’s a small oil study, it’s a delicately painted original, with as much detail and thoughtfulness as a larger work. While composing this painting, I found myself more interested in leaving the sharp edges of paint. The end result is a painting that appears more collaged.

As with all my work, I abstract the human form and reorganize the human body, using multiple viewpoints of the model. This painting contains six – seven different views of multiple models. She isn’t meant to represent one person and one moment in time, she a sequence and an idea that we are comprised of many experiences.

5″ x 5″ – Oil on Wood

A 5″ x 5″ study for a possible larger/future work. Even though it’s a study, it’s delicately painted and original. While composing this portrait I noticed the colors and the mood was very similar to the well know and famous painter Gustav Klimt’s painting titled: Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer.  This was not my intention, however obvious. Fade is small, but she really pops when you hang her on the wall, or set her on the shelf. Her portrait contains as much detail and thoughtfulness as a larger piece.

5″ x 5″ – Oil Painting on Wood

Clasp is a 5″ x 5″ study for a possible future/larger work. Even though it’s a study, it’s a delicately painted original, with as much detail and thoughtfulness as a larger piece. I was inspired to paint the embodiment of hope. Sometimes my work can be heavy, or dark and this piece allowed me to paint warmer colors, different lighting effects and include more life-like and subtle natural effects. 

5″ x 5″ – Oil Painting on Wood

This  5″ x 5″ portrait painting is a study for a possible larger/future work. It’s a delicately painted portrait that contains as much detail and thoughtfullness as any larger painting. This piece has cubist underpinnings, in that it was inspired by artists like Brach and Picasso who illustrated the painted scene from a multitude of different angles. This paintings leans heavily toward contemporary realism. However, I like to think this painting contains a similar spirit by showing the viewer the same face from two different angles. 

5.5 x 6.25 – Oil Painting on Wood

Twist contains two overlapping faces. I am exploring new ways to abstract and complicate the portrait. The overall effect of using two different individuals allows me to experiment and play with the compositional structure more. Using multiple figures can also add a psychological impact to the piece. The most surprising and difficult aspect to this piece for me during the painting was the color. I typically use cool colors in the shadows and warm colors in the lights, however this piece those are reversed.

21.5 x 20 – Oil Painting on Wood

A Quiet Depth In A Fading Light is a colorful portrait painted on wood panel. The painting consists of multiple layers of thinly applied glazes over more opaque applications of paint. This piece focuses on the lighting of the subject and the delicately rendered fingers surrounding the face. The hands draw the viewer into the middle of the piece and back out again. This suggestive and rhythmic movement is what I hoped to capture. 

21.5 x 20 – Oil Painting on Wood

Entwined is a surrealistic double portrait painting on wood panel. The expression on her face and her pose is meant to be open for interpretation. Her hands appear to be exploring her face, holding it in place, or even perhaps removing it. What do you see? Does the double portrait symbolize a twin or inner self?  This painting is a metaphor for the proverbial mask we all wear when interacting with the world. 

Look through the images to see my painting process. To see more of my painting process and additional updates join me on Instagram.

21.5 x 20 – Oil on Wood

The Decision is an oil painting on wood. It is meant to evoke the moment before a decision. I like to think that whatever she decides, there will always be multiple outcomes. The layering of multiple figures in most of my work is meant to illustrate time and the visual, abstract and complex residue that remains from the daily choices we make.

Oil Painting on Wood – 16 x 16

Crazed is a part of a series of portraits that I painted in 2008. All of the paintings at that time contained empty “unfinished” areas. I let the drawn image and underpainting come through. Also the focus is on the mouth. You can see that both color and application is richer and more finished there.

“Crazed” was used in the fundraising efforts for The Art League’s 60th anniversary. Pictured Above.

I have my own body issues, and “Waiting to Eat” is a reimagined self portrait as obese. The painting is a mixture of pencil drawing, oil stains and thicker passages of alla prima painting techniques. I intentionally left parts of the piece unfinished so that the focal point is on the mouth.