My Painting Style

Hello Everyone;

I have had a lot of people at shows ask me about my art style. Just about everyone who looks at one of my paintings say the work gives them a feeling of peace, maybe even a feeling of serenity.

Part of it is the subject matter. After all, I am painting landscapes which are magnificent by themselves, but I try to add a bit of myself in each painting I create.

Yes, my inspiration comes from mother nature, but most of the time, it is not of a specific place. Of course, I use photo reference for some of my work, but about 60% or so is just made up. I usually start with very thinned oil paint and I sketch with my brush something. At times, I am simply throwing color on the hard wood until something interesting shows itself.

Once something interesting reveals itself, I then proceed to refine it. At that point, my focal point has been uncovered and the painting forms around it.

As I begin to paint the composition, I start using thicker and thicker oil paint. Most of my paintings have a lot of pallet knife work in them which adds to the thick paint while adding some pleasing texture to the piece. I even do some paintings with a pallet knife only, no brush work at all.

I really believe this approach is what makes oil painting so incredibly joyous to me, and when someone gets great joy from something, they can then put themselves in their work. As an artist, we include our joys, our fears, even our own soul to a degree. I truly believe that paintings can take on the attitude of those who create them.

I have always believed that our attitudes towards life in general defines each person on this planet. Our personal attitudes shape us and they shape the way we interact with people, with our jobs with everything we come across. In a way, once I start the painting, for the most part, it paints itself. I get it started and my attitude which is seen in my work takes over and the painting has been created.

I love the life I have been blessed with, but I am not naive to the fact that life itself, is harsh, and at times, can be unforgiving and relentless. I know what it is like to get up in the morning and go to work everyday. I know what it is like to look at your paycheck and know, your bills exceed your check. I know what it is like to feel overwhelmed and thinking that there is no hope.

When I paint, my main goal is to take myself to a place where there are no issues, problems or pain of any kind. I want to take myself to a place of pure joy, of pure love and of pure beauty. When I look at on of my paintings and I can smile, I know someone else will also smile when they see it.

I do not have the talent or the vision some of the great artists through out history have had which made them incredible artists, but I do have my soul which I strive to add into every painting I create. I may never be a great artist or a household name people talk about over dinner, but I will never stop putting myself wholly into every paint stroke I apply.

Have A Blessed Day