One of the things I love most about being an artist is the freedom to explore new ideas, experiment with materials and constantly push myself creatively. Lately I've had the urge to get back into my first love–painting. Abstract backgrounds are a key part of my mixed media work so I thought why not take my distinctive urban look to the next level. I also decided these new abstract pieces needed to make a statement...they just screamed to be big.
Inspired by urban graffiti, the patinated walls of abandoned buildings and even my paint-splattered studio floor, these paintings on unstretched canvas measure approximately 39 x 61 inches (with an additional 2" border all around so they can hang as-is or they can be professionally stretched). Each piece is created by applying many layers of paint, which I hand distress by sanding, scraping and rubbing, then I paint again. The process is very physical and at times I look like I am playing a solo version of Twister or practicing a particularly torturous method of yoga, but it's worth it...I love the results.
