ARTIST STATEMENT
Intuition and contemplation form the basis for my practice. Though my work often seems quite simple in appearance, the goal is to invite contemplation, and to engage the viewer in a deeper conversation with the essence of each piece.
Utilizing a combination of construction artifacts and new materials I attempt to create and sometimes even exaggerate the tension in a composition. As each move unfolds, the hope is that a piece will fall into a dynamic balance: order is brought to chaos, a harmonious tension is achieved.
I am fascinated by the intrinsic properties of various materials. My work is very much informed by specific, subtle characteristics of different woods, metals, and types of stone. I gather items, as they catch my eye, to be modified, assembled and arranged into a piece, sometimes reconstituting these parts multiple times before they become fully resolved.
My work is about trust and play. I have worked to train my eye and my hands for almost forty years as a carpenter and cabinetmaker. My artwork is an extension of this long engagement with the refinement of my craft. I try to maintain a sense of play throughout the process, often working on multiple pieces simultaneously. My pieces become fully resolved when I can let go of expectations, fully trust my instincts and act on clear impulse.
