oil on panel
24″ x 24″ x 0″
I paint with oils, using the expressiveness of natural forms to investigate color and pattern. In this series, I paint silhouetted shapes inspired by ferns I’ve encountered in wilderness areas. Absorbing nature through all my senses, I return to my studio to distill the energy of these plants growing wildly without invitation or cultivation. These sword ferns grow in the Redwood State Parks of northern California and throughout the state.
Combining painterly brushwork with the graphic qualities of handcut stencils, I build layers of marks and glazes which result in unique patterns of biomorphic shapes. With each layer, a pentimento effect emerges.
Essential to our ecosystem, ferns are among the most primitive botanical life forms, having thrived for millions of years by adapting to an ever-changing environment. With this series, I focus my awareness of environmental concerns about sustainability and stewardship, while celebrating the beauty and exuberance of our natural world.
