I began my Being in Nature series during the pandemic when we all spent a lot of time out in nature – taking walks, long hikes, and generally meeting in outside venues with others. I have continued this series through my summers in France. Through each season, there are different things to appreciate while being in nature – the wind blowing through the grasses and trees in summer, the awakening of spring, the colors of fall, the starkness of winter. Through these abstract paintings, I have tried to capture my feelings and impressions of my time spent in nature.
I apply layers and layers of paint and then scratch and carve into the painting with palette knife or other tools to achieve the final image. Each painting has its own unique characteristics depending on the dryness of the paint when carved into it, the heaviness or lightness of the carving, the number of different colors applied, and the tools used. Some of these works are on paper and other on canvas. The palette speaks to the time, place, season and mood.
