A Personal Universe

On Water

The new paintings resulted after a chance observation of motor oil on pavement mingling in the rain. The fact that oil and water do not mix influences the visual context of this series. That incidental but visually stunning happenstance is interpreted in these new works.

The conceptual context of these paintings derived from the natural earth elements of fire, water, air, and earth. They represent thematic contents that have been explored and depicted in earlier fine art and design projects. However, these new paintings demonstrate a significant technical departure from my earlier works. The interaction an oil based medium on the surface of the water is essential to bringing the process to an artistic fruition.

The shear exhilaration involved in the flow of the process often dictates the direction of the work. One may start with a specific visual context, while another will evolve from listening to the interaction of the paint and water. Most of the labor involved takes place during the preparation stage of the process. Various masking devices are positioned. Oil base paint is applied while the board surface is wet. The actual painting event is often so effortless that the work seems to be transformed by magical forces.

After an application of the paint, the surface of the board is usually allowed to dry. The next layer of enamel can be added if needed after rewetting the effected area. During the application of paint the hand of the artist does not touch the surface of the art. On some of the paintings acrylic or other forms of pigmentation may be added later using tools that are often associated with more traditional methods of image manipulation.