I create artwork for myself, to see what my visual ideas will look like. I picture these ideas in the colors and materials that I’ll work with. Making art became serious to me at an early age. When I was about 5 my older brother showed me how to draw a horse. Each pencil line followed the one before it, as if it were taking directions, until the final picture of the horse appeared. I found the process of making seemingly random marks just as exciting as their final outcome.
I don’t believe that my visual ideas are problems that need to be solved. Rather, they are inspirations in my mind’s eye. This ability to see ideas visually is one of the most enriching parts of my life.
When an idea comes into my mind, I bypass making a sketch and begin to work directly on the blank surface. As soon as I draw the first line or mark, I follow its rhythm until an image or structure starts to appear. I then continue developing it into a final composition. The end result, although pleasing to my eye, is never what I had originally anticipated. This gives me a sense of discovery and is my main reason for retuning to the studio.
When I have a strong feeling about a particular finished piece, I use it as a jumping-off point for developing a series of visually related works. The full body of my artworks comprises a variety of these series, each varying in style, theme and materials.
Viewers of my artwork often ask, “How did you make it?” rather than, “What is it?” This lets me know that my artwork encourages open interpretation. To me, this is the most rewarding way of appreciating art, gaining a deeper understanding of the work and in turn, of oneself. I’m always happy to tell anyone how ”I make it.”
