The Artist
Artist's Statement
Ideas for paintings come to me at many unexpected times; some are a vague idea that need work and research, others full blown images I need to scribble down fast before they go. Some of my best works including the birth of the 9/11 Tribute tour series were spontaneous scribbles on the back of a shopping list in the middle of doing very ordinary things.
My inspiration to become an artist came at an early age from my Grandfather who came here from France in 1900. He was a self taught painter working mainly in Pastel's and was a master woodworker. The simple pleasure of drawing at the kitchen table was a tradition each time he came to visit.
My Father gave me a box of pencils that belonged to my Grandfather when I was young and to this day all of my paintings have a small part of the drawing from one of his pencils, I like that there is a part of his past in every painting I do.
My favorite subject matter revolves around people in an environment that tells a story, conveys an emotion, or brings the viewer to a place they never thought. I develop ideas with small ink or pencil sketches from life, imagination, or reference materials and develop compositions and series themes.
As with the 9/11 collection I work in themed series and enjoy immersing myself totally in one subject until it's time to move on to the next one.
Current Project
I am enjoying the experience of bringing the 9/11 collection down the East coast and meeting firefighters and families from around the country. It is an honor to show work that gets such a wide range of positive emotion from the public. I have met people who lost firefighter family members and received cards and letters from 9/11 victim families and others around the country.
The most unexpected and emotional letters are from young children and those with family in the military.
It has been written about in over 150 newspapers and magazines, internet publications & articles. It is an honor to bring the collection to the public, if it reminds one visitor the sacrifice firefighters make for us it is worth the experience.
The new in progress is the 1900's NYC Victorian life, Western, & Indian Spirit Series.
