At last winter is almost over! It is time to prepare for spring and April's show with a few new floral paintings. While the season calls for certain subject matter, I do not believe that the subject of a painting is truly as important as the reaction the object generates in the viewer. This is how I approach all my work.
Many people see flowers as lovely but chiefly fragile objects. I see each one as a strong soul that tells a story of survival. Power is in the very nature of a flower: they are part of wild landscapes that cannot be controlled. I have a special love for field and wildflowers in their struggle with the earth ('terroir' in French), but I also love painting the dignified greenhouse flowers. They speak to me of sophisticated musical harmonies and cultured excellence.
In my paintings, flowers are creatures rather than objects, so I focus on both their strength and fragility. In order to communicate this, I employ careful technique in two areas: color and style. Colors always generate a reaction in the viewer. For instance, red is an uplifting color that often carries a call to action, while blue and green tend to pacify the viewer because they are more peaceful and serene. Since color is so important, I use paint directly from the tube. This preserves the brilliance and strength of the color while allowing me to use a gentle palette. After painting a base layer with a brush, I return to apply fresh paint with a palette knife which does not compromise the chemical balance of the pigment and the oil.
I use what I like to call a Prismatic style. This is when the whole subject comes to life as you step away from the painting but as you step closer, the individual strokes of the brush or knife become apparent and create a whole new aspect. It is almost a painting within a painting – like a prism!
Flowers are survivors. Each one beats the odds of the earth and the elements in order to bloom. I see in them the story of my family (well, the story of humanity) - surviving war, pain, and famine. Life and success always prevail. From flowers we learn of victory against adversity. Even though you may be cut and bloody you can still show the full strength of your beauty...
