Process not product.

This is a freestyle experimental work of art created using mixed media on a masonite/hardboard canvas 4' x 4' It is soon to be complemented by a 4'x8' canvass created by commission for a prayer room at the house of worship that I attend. The order in which you view this process is backwards; enjoy the ride!

(the painting below is displayed on an amazing machine and was not cropped out because I believe its rigidity and bold utilitarian appearance enhances the etherial, ambient nature of the painting.)[ In case you were wondering.]

The last phase was one of the most challenging, whereas I was unsure when or how to stop this experience without covering up all that had been created or destroying what emerged. Each individual artist has within them a quite voice that wispers when a work is complete, and sometimes that voice roars as the final drips hit the canvas.... "perfect" :)

Nearing the end of the 8+ hour painting experience, stark white was applied in a vine-like shape reaching over a large section of the canvas, with a burst of silver for emphasis. 

The color began to emerge and  consume the canvas. The violet is a combination of acrylic paint and oil bars (giant oil pastels).  a splattering of green in varying shades found its way on there in this phase to compete with the radiant red orb swallowing the bottom of the canvas.

Varying shades of blue acrylic paint, some fresh sunshine on my back, and this phase erupted with life!

Some underpainting was applied and then more masking and a healthy coat of chartreuse spray paint.

After masking these vertical lines, acrylic spray paint was applied to create a gradient and build layers for what was to come.

The initial steps were created using acrylic paint and large brushes.

Sometimes the best part about a work of art is the journey. The beautiful, challenging, adventurous and sometimes unexplainable journey that one travels to reach that place of contentment. And so this was a brief slideshow with a few of the many steps I took to make it to this amazing destination. Tell me what you think, and if you find errors in my writing I apologize, dyslexia is my greatest nemesis.

And the story continues...

The story of my life (well a fractional element which can be expressed via the Internet anyways.) This is a visual journal of my life expressed through the artworks that inspire and motivate me. Some of these artworks have been created by others, some have been created in collaboration with others, some may not even be considered "art" to others, but they can get their own blog.

 For me the creative process is a means of developing ideas and for solving problems which cannot be solved solely through verbal communication, mathematics, written word or the traditional breaking and bending that often solves problems or develops ideas. Most of my artwork tends to be a visual/outward expression of an internal interaction. This interaction, which is expressed through my works, is a transformative myriad composed of intellect, emotion, spirit, and body. Oftentimes what is revealed or expressed is not an object which can be simply dissected with the mind alone, because the complexity therein is beyond just human intellect: simply put, it cannot be reduced to words or numbers.

 There are many influences for my work: all erupt from life itself; joy, water, community, cosmos, love, animals, dance, clouds, song, flight, rest, growth, strength, color, light, form, peace, family, freedom etc... My artwork's often don't "make sense" however, for me that is the beauty of  it. It is our human nature to attempt to explain or define everything, but I rejoice in the ambiguity of the unknown, the mystery of the unexplainable, the glorious unseen. A song can be reduced to notes, chords, time, and intensity but there is a great deal more to be experienced. A painting can also be reduced to the elements and principles which it is constrained to, however there is so much more to be seen and experienced than color and canvas, there is a capturing of life that occurs. And I suppose that is what I strive to achieve with my work, to capture life.

So as you meander through this journal, it is my hope that you experience more than color or form, but rather, something within you would be able to identify with what is being expressed.