Artist Statement

 
I have followed a natural desire in the theme of my work, which began after a trip down into Mexico nearly 12 years ago.  I saw something different in the faces of the people I encountered, aside from their obvious indigenous heritage.  My paintings developed from these first impressions into a movement of artwork connecting legends and traditions with modern-day struggles.

Working predominately with oils on wood, the intention is to create a mood or feeling about the subject that helps to expand the general perception of these people, their beliefs and their currant existence.

The attraction to indigenous people from south of the border, and moreover, the pressing need to paint them was not fully evident to me until recently.  Even though I felt deeply engaged with many issues that these people face in their daily lives, it became clear to me that my interest had derived from something much more personal. By way of these native cultures, I began to learn about the deeper connection to life and Spirit and my inherent longing to fully comprehend and embrace this state of being.