Artist Statement
“Animal Spirits,” are physically immersive paintings which explore the relationships between sentient beings (animals, trees, fish, birds) and other geological or natural phenomena. The paintings manifest in a plant/animal/geological symbiosis, relying on a combination of gesture, meditative focus and representational imagery, resulting in an abstraction of the patterns, forms and colors that inspired them.
From the fossils of the Calvert Cliffs of Maryland, to the landscapes of far-off places like China and India, and the flora and fauna still visible in New York City—these “Animal Spirits” are a way for me to create a dialogue between each of these elements, across physical distance, and through time. These paintings draw from historical references such as Pliny’s Natural History, Chinese landscape paintings, and Native American traditions, seen echoed in the brushwork and the use of natural, textured materials like sand and gold.
“Animal Spirits” nestle creatures in geological patterns, weaving vibratory spaces that are metaphors for our place in the universe. Experiencing nature in all its complexity through the medium of painting encourages reflection on its beauty and vulnerability.
This project is made possible with funds from Statewide Community Regrants Program, a regrant program of New York State Council on the Arts
with support of the office of the Governor and the
NYS Legislature administered by CREATE Council on the Arts
Many thanks to Time & Space Ltd as the OSH 2024 fiscal sponsor and their past partnerships. We could not have done this without your support!
https://timeandspace.org
Open Studio Hudson is grateful to be the recipient of a New York State Council on the Arts 2024 Grant, facilitated by Create Council on the Arts. This project is made possible with funds from the Statewide Community Regrants Program, a program of the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul.
Many thanks to Time & Space Ltd as the OSH 2024 fiscal sponsor and their past partnerships. We could not have done this without your support!
