As an artist, everything I see is a source of inspiration. When you know and love a place, your artistic response is, by definition, intimate and appreciative. I know and love where I live here in New England. I came here as a 13-year-old from the Midwest. I have never become bored or complacent about this area. Even the Fairhaven bridge is still magical for me as it forces me (sometimes with terrible timing) to stop and take in the harbor, the boats, and the sea wall. I love sharing my appreciation and feelings for this area—hence my New England Life series.
I tend to avoid any specific themes. What moves me immediately and draws my attention makes me explore it by painting. I never know what will jump out at me. If it resonates with me, I pursue it on the chance that someone else might appreciate what I appreciate.
There are aspects of living here in New Bedford and New England in general that defy words. That’s why painting is still so satisfying for me.
I love Horseneck Road. I have walked it, hitchhiked it, and driven on it throughout all the years of my life and all of the wonderful seasons we get. I remember trying to get to Horseneck Beach as a teenager without a car and many adventures along the way doing teenage stuff. Memories inform my paintings of the area.
I cannot say why, but sometimes I want to paint in color and other times monochromatically. It just feels right, and that is the part of the creative aspect of painting that I try not to delve into too deeply. There’s nothing worse than a painting that has been ‘overthought.’ I try to keep it loose and easy as far as choosing composition and subject matter.