Aucocisco Gallery, Portland, Maine

Yellow Basilica Study

Yellow Basilica Study is one painting in a series that consists of multiple crosses joined together to form a grid like composition.  The paintings in this series are built with many layers of sanded paint that yield smooth refined surfaces.  I construct this work in a way that is similar to that of ceramic tile walls, patchwork quilts and alter cloths; one section at a time. 

Shown at Aucocisco Gallery, Portland, Maine

Yellow Basilica Study. 2010  Acrylic on Canvas.  34 X 30 inches.

Cross

During 2006, I was beginning to shift away from the "War Series" into a new body of work. This painting was the first to mark my current direction. The process involved dividing the rectangle into twelve square segments. From there, I applied and sanded many layers of paint until I arrived at this image.

Shown at Perimeter Gallery and Center for Maine Contemporary Art.

Cross. 2007-2010  Acrylic on Canvas. 14 X 18 inches.

Casket

The concept for "Casket" originated in 2004. During this time, the casket of former president Ronald Reagan was being paraded around the United States while the Bush administration was banning the photos of caskets returning from Iraq. I found this ironic.

Visually, I was drawn to the stark contrast that was set up between the American flag and its often dark environment. During the painting process, I decided to exclude the blue, star-studded rectangle from the flag and specific details from the surrounding space in order to establish a heightened sense of mystery for the viewer. I also wanted the viewer to be uncertain whether the casket contained the body of a fallen American soldier or a former President. These elements of mystery are what animate the painting.

Casket. 2004  Oil, Acrylic, Alkyd Resin and Wax on Canvas.  50 X 42 inches.

Shown at Portland Museum of Art, Maine.  Private collection.

Pen Bay Cruiser

Between 2004 and 2006, I was making paintings that explored the fictional concept of Maine as a modern day war zone. One August morning in 2006, while summering in Maine, I was alarmed to see a Navy Cruiser gliding down the bay. It was an uncommon sight in Penobscot Bay and the experience only strengthened my imagination. Of course the ship was only on a training mission but seeing it in that context was startling. When I returned to New Jersey, I made this painting.

Pen Bay Cruiser. 2006 Acrylic on Canvas over Wood. 6 X 8 inches.

Private collection

I Will Follow

This painting started as a list of words such as; walk, skip, jump, trip, stumble, etc... Words relating to basic body movements. Then I started erasing the words with blocks of color- ultimately becoming interested in the stack of colors. Seeming too rigid, I painted over a few of them free-hand.

I Will Follow. 2007 Acrylic on Canvas. 44 X 26 inches.

Shown at Center for Maine Contemporary Art and Coleman Burke Gallery, NYC

http://www.colemanburke.com/newyork/chunkymonkey.html

Delegates

In 2005, I decided to make a painting of the Maine state flag after seeing an exhibit at the Maine State Museum that showcased old Maine flags from past wars. I was imagining what it would be like if my home state of Maine was a modern day war zone like Iraq or Afghanistan. Then I saw a file photo of the role call list of Maine state legislatures on the local news and decided to list the names of Maine artists that had influenced me during my formative years over the flag.  The numbers signify important dates in my life; 71 birth, 87 moved to Maine from New Hampshire, 97 left Maine for New Jersey, 05 is the date of the painting.

Shown at Center for Maine Contemporary Art.

Delegates 2005, Oil, Acrylic, Alkyd Resin and Wax on Canvas, 60 X 36 inches.

Pros and Cons

Pros and Cons, 2007 is 16 X 20 inches.  This painting started as a grey grid.  Then, I painted color crosses into each square.  I was thinking about altar cloths, quilts, and religious banners.  Later, I thought of the crosses as plus signs and responded by painting minus signs over them.

Shown at Center for Maine Contemporary Art.

Private collection