About John & His Process
Artist Statement
I find joy in creating individual pieces of beauty and intrigue out of various materials and later composing them to make a finished piece of art. The flowing together of diluted acrylic paints on cotton, organza, canvas and handmade mulberry paper and the layering together of these materials often yields results that surprise and delight me. Through this process I have also learned patience and attentiveness in waiting and looking for the messages about what wants/needs to be made – something that I believe is essential to creating authentic work. I enjoy working with face, body and nature images because of their tangible connection to life and living.
My Process
Sometimes I have an idea of the image I want to create, e.g., when I’m working on a commission, and sometimes the image “creates itself.” The latter happens when I intuitively approach my surface materials and paint color selections, open to what is speaking to me in the moment and to whatever is organically revealed when paint is laid onto a surface and combines with other colors.
Regardless of whether a piece is mainly intentional or intuitive, I will start by laying out large, blank pieces of mulberry paper, archival tissue paper (archival simply means it is acid-free and will last) silk, canvas, or other fabrics.
I’ll then wet down the surfaces with a spray bottle and begin adding paint. I’ll often force movement or combining of paints by spraying on more water. I’ll observe movement, color, texture and design.
I’ll allow the surfaces to dry and go back in with more paint if needed. Finally, I’ll tear and compose the pieces into an abstract landscape or use the piece for a background for a figurative work.
The Surveillance
Archival tissue paper and mulberry paper collage
15 x 23 in.
Read information about commissions here