Artist's Statement
My portfolio reflects an interest in traditional style, with recurring mediums of oils, acrylics, graphite, charcoal, colored pencil, and occasional watercolor. My pieces are most often studies in realism, whether that be portraits, landscapes, or figures. I have always leaned towards realism because I have an ability to render people, objects, landscapes, etc. in a detailed and proportionally accurate way. It is easiest for me to create such pieces using a two dimensional reference, which is why one of my goals is to do more observational work. I find my strongest influence in works of realism, especially portraits, using oils on canvas. Contemporary painters Danny Ferland and M Fadhlil Adbi both are sources of such inspiration, as well as my grandfather. My art is driven by a sense of purpose and accomplishment, with an end goal of self-fulfillment. My hope is to develop my skill set so that I may communicate concepts more effectively with my art.
One step I have taken in this direction is the work I have done on my “A Study in Sophistication” series or sustained investigation, which explores the definition of sophistication as it relates to art. This series was inspired by Max Beckmann’s piece “Double Portrait” as well as Picasso’s early work in Cubism. These both are very stylized and use techniques such as heavy outline and unblended, textured strokes. It also takes heavy influence from the work of my grandfather, who was an artist but was drawn into the professional medical field by his father. He represents professionalism and mastery to me, forming a connection in my mind between these qualities and art. This series is centralized around the idea of sophistication in art. It represents my efforts to abstract my abilities with realism while staying away from cartoon styles. Although I value it greatly, I feel as though it is time to move on from the realism I have been doing because it becomes repetitive and I focus on rendition more than expression (this is not to say that realism cannot be expressive). This series also contrasts me personally, as an amateur artist, to my desire to achieve sophistication and mastery of my style.
I tend to use materials that I have a greater mastery of (colored pencils, graphite, charcoal) but I want to become more familiar with those that I have difficulty controlling, especially oil paints, which I like because of the softness and the blending potential. While I have focused on realism in the past, I believe my future holds more stylized work, especially with focus on Cubism and abstract pieces.
One step I have taken in this direction is the work I have done on my “A Study in Sophistication” series or sustained investigation, which explores the definition of sophistication as it relates to art. This series was inspired by Max Beckmann’s piece “Double Portrait” as well as Picasso’s early work in Cubism. These both are very stylized and use techniques such as heavy outline and unblended, textured strokes. It also takes heavy influence from the work of my grandfather, who was an artist but was drawn into the professional medical field by his father. He represents professionalism and mastery to me, forming a connection in my mind between these qualities and art. This series is centralized around the idea of sophistication in art. It represents my efforts to abstract my abilities with realism while staying away from cartoon styles. Although I value it greatly, I feel as though it is time to move on from the realism I have been doing because it becomes repetitive and I focus on rendition more than expression (this is not to say that realism cannot be expressive). This series also contrasts me personally, as an amateur artist, to my desire to achieve sophistication and mastery of my style.
I tend to use materials that I have a greater mastery of (colored pencils, graphite, charcoal) but I want to become more familiar with those that I have difficulty controlling, especially oil paints, which I like because of the softness and the blending potential. While I have focused on realism in the past, I believe my future holds more stylized work, especially with focus on Cubism and abstract pieces.