CELEBRATING ONE YEAR

Today marks the one year anniversary of when I began my first painting. I remember the day I thought to myself - “hmm, maybe I should try painting?” I was sitting at my jewelry workbench and had just sliced my finger open with a saw blade. Normally, this would just be taken care of with a few choice expletives, but as I had recently been put on blood thinners, it instead led to quite a lot of bleeding, and a wound that wouldn’t heal for several days. So, I decided it was time for a break from one art form, and the pursuit of another.

It has been an interesting year for this Artist. Just 4 months after beginning painting I had my first showing of paintings at Industry in Huntington, NY with 11 paintings. Eight months later I had had my second show with 12 more new paintings. Without having any instruction in painting, this first year has been my experimentation. Learning as I go, I would say that I am close to understanding my own style. I love working with palette knives, creating paintings with heavy textures, bright colors, and luminosity. My work leans toward impressionism, with the occasional dash of realism. I strive to make each piece be a window for the viewer - for light and sound to be visible and audible. Thus far, my paintings do not carry with them deep profound meanings. As an Artist I have always striven to create beauty, and beauty needs nothing more.

This summer I became acutely aware that life is too short, and like the catalyst that led to the vagabond days of my 20s; I realized it was time to once again seek adventure. I applied to an Artist Residency in France called Chateau Orquevaux, and as they only accept 20% of applicants, I wasn’t all too confident I would be accepted. Lo and behold, I was. In June of 2024 - just 18 months away - I will be heading to a small village in Champagne-Ardenne France to live in a Chateau with a group of Artists, painting all day, and discussing art and wine all night. La vie est courte. Boire du vin, Faire de l'art.

I was looking at my current show last night at Industry - “Memories of Earth,” and it struck me that I could not have imagined a year ago what I would produce in the course of a single year, and furthermore, what the next year has in store for my work as an Artist. I’m betting on it being at the very least interesting, if not amazing.

ARS LONGA, VITA BREVIS