kaleidoscope demon: 2011

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Draft of Artist Statement

The process is essential. My work explores images from my dreams and visions through detailed drawings and paintings. Using repetitive disciplined mark making I reference Pagan mythologies, specifically regarding the Norse destruction myth of Ragnarok, and filter these ideas through punk and metal subculture, Jungian psychology, and personal philosophies. I contrast these violent images with Buddhist philosophies, most notably detachment and the end of suffering. My work is an expression of my own existential struggles with nihilism and faith. I find meaning in strife. Violence becomes a metaphor not only for internal struggles with anger, aggression, and fear; but also determination, rebellion and humor.

Repetitive mark making is central to my drawings. Repetition brings me dangerously close to mindlessness, which requires me to maintain discipline to preserve meaning and purposefulness. Drawing is an immediate and pliable medium, but also very specific and focused while painting allows easy explorations and reactions, while being less specific. In my paintings I am compelled by the nature of paint and its ability to be expressive on many formal levels.

My work is informed by “old masters” such as Albrecht Durer and Gustav Dore; while on the other hand destructive of those influences by referencing abstraction and the formal aspect of pattern.