From my first visit to The Boston Museum of Fine Arts when I was seven, I have been interested in the power of visual art to communicate ideas and stories. During the Middle Ages and Renaissance specific images were universally understood to mean specific concepts i.e.: the use of a dove being the holy spirit, or the depiction of an Iris to represent the Resurrection. My work is an attempt to understand how we can communicate using the least amount of reference to recognizable objects. By relying on the elements of abstraction: color, mark making, shapes and texture as opposed to a more direct literal depiction of an idea, I invite the onlooker to engage more deeply in deciphering the meaning of the painting. I look to create an opportunity for the viewer to engage in a conversation with the work.
In 2016, after a 20-year hiatus, I returned to painting to find solace and deal with the anxiety of an uncertain future. The election of Donald Trump and the policies of the Administration; Muslim Ban, family separation, his response to Charlottsville and his defense of White Nationalist which has led to an exponential increase in violence against minorities of all stripes, has caused me as a Jewish American woman to feel afraid in my own country.
Making art provides a vehicle to work through my feelings. The canvas acts as a mirror reflecting what I am feeling that I may not be able to convey verbally. Painting allows me to take back a sense of control over my life and environment.
I work primarily in oil paint, paint stick and charcoal on canvas. I enjoy the buttery texture of oil paint and the flexibility due to its slow drying time. This quality allows me to manipulate the paint by scrubbing, scraping, and rubbing out before it dries. My process is a journey rather than a destination. I occasionally start a new work with a general idea, but often, I simply start laying down color and marks and see where it goes. Continually evaluating and re-assessing what is going on. Standing back observing looking for patterns and shapes that interest me, as well as monitoring my thoughts. What am I feeling? What does this remind me of? What is the story? As I move through the process, the story becomes more evident and informs the ultimate title of the work, which then becomes a clue to assist the viewer in deciphering the work.
Up until recently, I’ve always been risk adverse and my art has reflected that. At this stage of life, I am tired of playing it safe. My artistic influences: Larry Poons, Willem De Kooning, David Park, and Gary Komarin. are artists that have often bucked trends and made work that spoke to their souls. These are artists that inspire me to push forward, take risks to get messy and enjoy the ride wherever it may lead.
I seek to create work that provides viewers the opportunity to stop and take a moment to step out of the hustle and bustle of daily life and be in the present. For me, the greatest compliment is someone telling me that every time they come back to a piece, they discover something new.