Self-Portrait #1, 2012
Oil on Canvas, 36 x 48"





Tony, 2012
Oil on Canvas, 84 x 84"





Brittany, 2012
Oil on Canvas, 72 x 84"





Dave, 2012
Oil on Canvas, 68 x 68"





Jake, 2012
Oil on Canvas, 64 x 76"


These paintings are abstract representations of how I perceive color and light. In the moment of connecting with my subject, I have a desire for what I am going to produce and I pre-visualize a distinct palette that differs with each person. This series is united by my exploration of a natural phenomenon that has been brought to fruition through an unyielding desire to make sense of my thoughts.

Before I paint someone, I instinctively notice tiny fragments of color that are barely perceptible on their bodies. Just like the many tiny pixels that make up a digital image, many colors exist on the body, even within one area. In painting the background with the same colors as the portrait, I have made an aesthetic decision about the way space can be used. This gives a feeling of unity throughout the entire piece. I place each color deliberately to guide the viewer’s eyes throughout the composition. The decisive yet loose brush strokes illustrate the purposeful nature of my work while still maintaining a sense of spontaneity.

I am fascinated with the way color is interpreted differently depending on the viewer. This is why I have focused on the hints of colors I notice within my figures and have extended them into a more distinguishable form. As a body of work, these paintings illustrate my examination of color and light. They stem from a driving force that compels me to interpret my intuition into a physical product.