Arizona Renaissance: Portraits

Whenever I painted, I felt like I was painting in someone else’s style, I couldn’t find my own. One day I had an epiphany – subtractive painting then build with thin layers. Subtractive painting is how it sounds; you cover the surface with a base color then with a rag, Q-tip or brush remove the highlights and midtones revealing the image. I started with small swatches of canvas to get a feel for the process then I began experimenting with monochromatic paintings – my red oxide phase. When I became more confident, I starting using color and I haven’t stopped since.

I’ve always been obsessed with Japanese art particularly the use of gold and woodblock prints. I began incorporating those inspirational elements from the beginning. Then being inspired by the relationship of kimono and obi and the juxtaposition of pattern and color I began to use that same concept for subject and background in my paintings.