Philosophy

My art is figurative, invoked by a memory, impression, observation, or sudden insight into human character. I am inspired by the beauty I see in a subject: its physical reality, underlying nature, and context. Though I want to remain realistic in my work, I believe in manipulating the figure and composition, to create ambiguities that enhance visual beauty, emotional impact, and intellectual stimulation.

“Women and Food” is my newest series of paintings. It is about women, and therefore about beauty. Food staples (from fruit to bread and fish) represent both the external, giving a sense of place and time, and the internal, becoming a symbol for desire and fear, discontent and satisfaction. One variation on this series is women with unnaturally large insects, with the implication of women as prey and therefore symbolically as object of appetite. Another variation is women with seeds, where the symbolism is of fertility, potential, and awakening.

“Women with Panties” is a depiction of "modern" women; it is both a negative social commentary and portraits of fun, attractive, and desirable women, looking out from magazine pages, Web, and TV.

“Russia is Us” began many years ago as group portraits against the blue, red, and white of the Russian flag; today it includes many paintings of my whimsical and mysterious friends.

Jazz is a favorite subject. Emotional and improvisational, it possesses great potential for expression through color and brush stroke.

Portraits tell stories of people: their optimism and innocence, wisdom and contemplation, grace and complexity. They also speak about me, and how I see the world.