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Bambarcus
2007 acrylic on canvas 20 ft. x 2 ft. (5 panels)
This piece is ENORMOUS. It spreads across 5 panels, totalling 20 feet long, and 2 feet high. It's name is derived from the latin word for arch, "arcus", and the word bamboo. I painted it so that it could be arranged, manuevered, and flipped in any way, yet still work and function as a large, horizontal, mural-like painting. Here it is seen stacked horizontally, below a smaller image of the full painting. Look closely...
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Artist's Statement
If you were to ask me, I would tell you that I am a self-taught artist, in every sense of the word. Yet, I have a degree in the Fine Arts, have studied art history, learned color theory, practiced drawing techniques, and taken painting classes. I enjoyed art history. The rest was exasperating. You see, anyone who has ever tried to teach me anything about art, has always begun by asserting that everything I do is wrong. Ironically, however, everyone else has always insisted that my work was amazing. It took a long time for me to decide whom I believed.
My perception was that the people who mattered most rejected me, while others who didn’t know any better encouraged me. In my head, I could draw. But I was not not an artist. I have always been my toughtest critic. Somewhere along the line, the praise began to outweigh the criticism. I finally started to listen to the people who didn’t matter. I began to explore different mediums, techniques, and subject matter. I experimented with various genres, and over time, I became aware of my own growth.
I strive to create art that is different. But more importantly, it has to mean something. It is not enough for me to paint a landscape, a still-life, or a portrait. In 2007, photographs can suffice for such things. My art is undeniably from the human hand. Each piece is truly one of kind. I could never duplicate my work because I don’t pre-sketch or pre-plan my paintings. It just happens. The most magical part of the process for me is the limitless possiblities of a blank canvas. My work is spontaneous and free, it flows naturally and often, I have no idea where a certain piece is going to end up. But you can often see where it comes from.
Like Dali, I hide elements to make you look deeper into my work. The silhouettes are derived from Giacometti’s work and his theory behind it. The drips and splatters, inspired by Pollack, lend a certain quality of chance to the process. My use of perspective comes from the incredible drawings of M.C. Escher. And I always, like the great Picasso, challenge myself to think outside of the box, and continue to evolve as an artist. My work is a blend of my greatest influences.
Art is a universal language. When spoken correctly, It can build bridges where words fall short. The funny thing is, that we live in a world that has never been this “connected†before, and yet, we are all still so far apart. If I can help bridge some of those gaps that seperate us, however small, then it is a move in the right direction.
My grandmother once told me, “...life is a drawing. A constantly changing work of art that’s made up of hundreds of mistakes that we erase and draw over and over again. It’s only at the end of our journey that we can begin to see the masterpiece take its final form.â€
It is with these words that I learned to embrace my mistakes. It has allowed me to create my own style of artistic expression. I am self-taught artist who challenges boundaries. I have already been where they said I couldn’t go. What used to be my crutch has become my greatest asset; and the best part is, I did it my way.Â
Evolution Of A Painting
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"Now and Then"
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