Having spent many years as a minimalist constructivist sculptor I view my paintings as sculptures dealing with light and surface. My objective is to create something on a grand scale visually from as little as possible focusing on perception and the beauty of simplicity. The concept that a simple object or idea can exist in multiple states at the same time drives my exploration. This condition is similar to the Heisenberg's uncertainty relation in Quantum physics where a particle cannot be measured because the act of measuring changes the particle. The corollary in sound is the Doppler effect where the tone of a sound changes depending on whether the sound is moving towards you or away from you. Although the pieces themselves are static, the interplay of light and its reflective qualities on the surface creates multiple and different views as one’s viewing angle to the work changes or as the changing light plays across the surface.
Why black? In light black is the absence of all light. In color mixing black is the combination of all colors. So black is both everything and nothing at the same time depending on one’s perspective.
The paintings are created using a technique consisting of acrylic paint and wax. Only 1 black pigment is used. The various shades and tones that are perceived are a result of light reflecting off the surface. The process starts with a pencil sketch to define the basic structure. A wood birch panel is coated with multiple layers (15-20) of paint. The panel is then sanded and scraped to create a smooth flat surface. From this point on each area is worked individually. Several more layers of paint are added and then hand sanded. A thin coat of wax is applied and rubbed out to create the final surface quality.
Why black? In light black is the absence of all light. In color mixing black is the combination of all colors. So black is both everything and nothing at the same time depending on one’s perspective.
The paintings are created using a technique consisting of acrylic paint and wax. Only 1 black pigment is used. The various shades and tones that are perceived are a result of light reflecting off the surface. The process starts with a pencil sketch to define the basic structure. A wood birch panel is coated with multiple layers (15-20) of paint. The panel is then sanded and scraped to create a smooth flat surface. From this point on each area is worked individually. Several more layers of paint are added and then hand sanded. A thin coat of wax is applied and rubbed out to create the final surface quality.