Green and Yellow fields, Oil and gypsum on linen. 120x100 cm. (About 4 by 3 feet)
Mark Rothko made big, simple paintings, usually two rectangles floating in a field of color. While this piece does not directly refer to Rothko's paintings, I consider it to be inspired by his work. Rothko has given me the conceptual freedom, almost a sort of permission, to explore texture and color in oil paint. If he can get away with painting big rectangles, then I am allowed to paint anything. Regardless of whether my spouse likes the finished result.
The following is an excerpt from my website:
My abstract paintings are an exploration of the oil paint as material, and are informed by my study of ceramics. Every action leaves a mark on the canvas, as with clay. I enjoy making these physical painting, especially the big ones. I usually work on them while they lie flat on the ground. I built up the canvas with layers of paint using brushes and pallete knives, and take away paint using different sized scrapers, pallete knives, rags, and anything that comes to hand. When you look closely, you can see the layers upon layers of paint and can begin seeing which layers were placed first. Geologists, skilled at deciphering the sequence of geologic events in a cross sectional map of folded strata and fault lines, seem to enjoy these paintings.
