statement

      As a formalist, I am interested in shape and spatial depth. I work with rectangular forms and the spaces between them, using layers and the illusion of layers to create a sense of depth.

      A need to create order and rationality in my world informs my work. I have always been a linear person and experience my life as being a series of compartmentalized events. In my work, this presents itself in the form of the grid. The elements of my paintings and drawings exist on a grid form, able to move backwards and forwards, up and down.

      The three-dimensional, constructed works go through several stages of construction, deconstruction, and reconstruction. At different points throughout this process I paint rectangular shapes. This process frees me from a tendency to become preoccupied with details and perfection. I am forced to contend with the random shapes that are created by tearing the works up and rebuilding them. The grid structure is a strategy I have utilized to make sense of the chaos. This process allows me to draw on my logical and linear strengths, while forcing me to work quickly and accept the unintended.

           In my work, the position of each shape in relation to the others is crucial. All edges should have a comfortable amount of space between them, and layered shapes should overlap by a comfortable amount as well. No two edges should line up or just touch. This creates a composition that is calm and stable. A sense of energy comes from the tension between the perceived and real layers within the painting. I try to create compositions that feel balanced and stable as well as dynamic and lively. I want to achieve a sense of contained energy, or a vibration of the individual pieces within their allotted space.

      Painting allows me to express my fascination with colour in a very fluid, immediate way. I employ a systemic process that involves a series of logical, pre-defined steps. This approach subverts my desire to be in control and provides a stable backdrop on which to work intuitively with the paint. Incorporated into this process are elements of chance. By tearing, disassembling, and re-arranging, I ensure that each painting experience is a unique one. A far cry from the realistic, representational work I also do, this body of work embodies my acceptance of art as an intuitive, spontaneous process.