Artist's Statement

  "Art is not only creative self-expression, but a series of conversations between the subject, the artist, the medium and the viewer.

  If it can be said that art exists only when it is viewed, then as such it must be an act of generosity, a process of giving — but of receiving as well. The destination of creative intention is illumination and enlightenment.

  The creative process for both viewer and artist can be stimulating and entertaining, yet also challenging. Traits emerge such as open-mindedness and vulnerability, dexterity and persistence, playfulness and passion.

  Along the way, the artist and viewer are joined in a special relationship. Shared are many emotions, some even conflicting. In the end there is celebration, joy or despair, and a bonding of common humanity.

  The artist presents the nuances and dualities of this relationship with the viewer through medium, subject matter, form and colour.

  My work is simple yet painterly. Homage is paid to the everyday world around us, to the glory of sensuality and the delight of the medium. The art of Tom Thomson is a particular inspiration with its profound pleasure in the freedom of the outdoors and its glimpses and studied compositions of nature.

  Photographic techniques such as cropping, focus and dramatic composition are designed to coax the viewer into a world of contemplation, stimulation and awareness.

  Lives are fleeting and full of difficulty. Rare are the moments when we can stop time, be transported, wonder and enjoy.

  I seek to capture the moment that is about to be lost. The impression is brief but poignant: the droop of a flower, the brilliance of sunlight on water, an artifact from ancestral times. A father and his young daughter spend a moment together at a park. The sun illuminates a marina through a mackerel sky. An dilapidated barn reminds us that its owner is too old to manage repairs.

  Future works include explorations of mood and atmosphere and the effect of seasonal light in nature. A more ambitious future series will observe the many small ways the individual connects with their community."