Reality. What is real? A sculptor once said to me, “Sculpture is real, painting isn’t; it’s not multi-dimensional.” I made no comment. I paint, occasionally write a short story or poem, and sculpt and in all of these endeavors, I experience many dimensions of reality.

Our perceptions and reactions to life or lack of them is what I believe is real. Because of my way of thinking, I choose not to paint or sculpt representations of just physical things: trees, water, man made objects, or a mother and child. Rather, in my creations I choose to tackle the tasks of capturing their essence, my feelings about them, and letting their forms inspire my palette and mark making. I don’t preplan what I’m going to create. However, I do hope to create an experience that is rich and multi-faceted. Sometimes the experience may evoke personal memories, activate a sense of social consciousness or simply create a feeling of peace.

During a painting session, I try to let my mind float away from the reality of my physical environment and then, with palette knives, brushes, hand-made tools and sometimes just my hands, I let myself, my whole self, feel whatever my subconscious throws my way.

In the realm of varied media visual arts: political statement art, video and computer installation art, and experiential multi-media art installations how is my art relevant? It’s just paint on canvas.

What could be more magical and creative than taking the minerals of the earth, the dust of those who came before us, and mixing it with one person’s passion and creativity to create a window to a new world for future generations? A canvas, a window you can look through, beyond your environment, into your soul and into new realities.