Appetite and Consumption
The conceptual concerns pervading through this series center around ideas of “Appetite and Consumption”. These paintings/drawings explore our primordial link to water and our relentless search for one another. Both formally and conceptually the work explores the dichotomy of dry to wet as well as notions of metamorphosis and adaptation as components of insatiable appetites.

Various explorations of fragmentation are prevalent with reference to the body and/or forms suggestive of body parts. Suggesting sensuality causes arousal and discomfort through the denial of excessive information. Arousal is achieved through the innate awareness of familiarity. Discomfort also comes through that same familiarity while being confronted by the larger than life scale. (Large scale subtlety)

Formally and conceptually this series seeks to push and pull the picture plane as well as the viewer. Positive and negative spaces are constantly inverted in order to push the complexity of spatial play as well as pull the intricacy of the visual read. The use of symbolic references to water, metamorphosis and adaptation are linked conceptually to herpetology, more specifically amphibians through various cultural views (especially Mayan) of fertility, growth and birth.

The large-scale work envelops the viewer. Once directly upon the work the formal and conceptual play of vehicles and solvents can also become more accessible. Again a dichotomy is explored through direct wet and dry media applications as well as non-traditional approaches to various oils, mineral spirits and varnishes. The co-existence of these materials can cause a great deal of tactile anxiety yet a great deal of enticement as well; dry becomes drier and wet becomes wetter. The compositions literally and figuratively speak of fluid, fluidity of movement to the release of secretions. The passage of pure stand oil through an area of dry pastel opens new doors to suggestive imagery and tucked away narratives that can only be exposed through the movement of the viewer and the play upon light.

Finally with the exploration of this series the viewer perpetuates “appetite” by the consumption of the imagery in order to in fact be consumed. All this comprises the ambitious desire to pursue followed by the turbulent rapture that ensues.