With its representational references, my previous work was inspired by the emotional aftermath of our family home burning to the ground. I explored the devastating beauty of fire, along with reconstruction and transformation as it relates to home and family. A similar theme of obliteration and transformation inspires my new abstract paintings.
Prior to its climactic eruption Mount Mazama had a summit height of about 12,000 ft. and was Oregon’s highest peak. The massive volcano erupted violently accompanied by collapse of the entire upper half of the edifice, which subsequently created Crater Lake. My first glimpse of Crater Lake rendered me speechless. It is stunningly beautiful and the epitome of transformation. Back in the studio I obsessed over the seismic eruption of Mt. Mazama: the fire, the ash, the loss of life and the 7000 years of snow and rain which created the 9th deepest lake in the world. Crater Lake, along with my personal history with lightening and fire, is the inspiration of my new abstract paintings.
I paint instinctively; layering color, drawing, sanding, scraping, building up the surface until I’ve established a dialogue with the piece. Eventually, the marks, layers and vibrant color generate a momentum of their own. Then painting is pure joy.
