My current practice is creating paintings inspired by daily life in New York City, which also lets me belong by contributing to community and culture here. In childhood, people were mysteriously drawn to me and yet couldn’t fully relate to my experience because it was so different.
Here I always feel a part of the energized, shifting scenes of the city, which drew me here like a magnet, and which are depicted in my work. People and their paths are so varied, boldly outspoken and creatively expressive that, in this environment, you can defy all labels, stand out as yourself, and still belong and connect. And there is always so much wildly-individual activity happening, which is reflected in my paintings. The composites are dominated by the vast array of unique characters you encounter on any block or in any park, day or night, paused in medias res with few city structures shown around them. For instance, a single, needle-like apartment building shown in “Piggy Ear Up” is tiny. I create new characters every day. For me, creative art-making is also a spiritual practice to stay sensitive, open and receptive to all that’s happening right around us in the ordinary. The theme of transcending labels that runs through my work is exploring how to embody the real self. Characters are magically floating, maybe ascending, with wings, halos or balloons in “Heart Baby,” “Top Hat,” and “Piggy Ear Up,” as a monstrous, giant-eared frog-person listens and points the way. |