For many years I painted human figures who seemed to be caught in the act of reflecting on the human condition. About 10 years ago dogs entered in my paintings – representing the rest of creation, I suppose.
More recently I have focused on landscapes, particularly watery ones: certain coves on the Damariscotta River in Maine. The banks of the Mill River, which I live beside in Western Massachusetts.
I am interested in moving from landscape that is visibly affected by human life – bridges, houses, factories – to landscape that still feels wild enough to reveal something ancient and mysterious about the nature of creation.
I work directly from nature, sometimes from a small boat, and also from photographs. Increasingly, I invite the uncontrollable and unpredictable into my methods: charcoal smeared with clear liquid medium, or paint applied in washes, heavy blobs and drips – to provide me with fresh means of investigation and expression.