People are often curious about where an artist finds their inspiration. For me there are a few consistent places that I draw from: Water and woods
The saying water is life comes from the Lakota phrase Mní wičhóni which translates to "it gives life." Not only is water life to the Native cultures, it is sacred. I truly believe it is also sacred in my life as well. I need to be near it, see it, watch it, touch it and to create from it.
We start our Earth journey immersed and floating in water. That level of understanding and experience resides deep within us throughout life. Before conception, the influence of previous generations is imprinted into the components that make up our DNA. I come by my love of water naturally through those genetic pieces. My paternal grandfather was a sea captain and my father was a Chief Engineer at sea traveling the globe for 15 years.
Not only is water imprinted in my DNA, but I have also lived my entire life with water flowing through it prominently. As a child I was raised on Bemus Creek in Chautauqua County and I think that water runs through my veins to this day.
In high school our family moved to Brooklyn where we would visit the ocean at Jacob Riis Park and Jones Beach Park throughout the entire year. I can remember watching the breakers and counting their rhythms, smelling the salt air, and watching it's ever changing form.
As an adult, most of the homes I have owned involved living on or near water. From our first home on the shores of the Hudson to 80 acres on the Little Chautauqua Creek, and now in front of the Chautauqua Gorge with shared time at our cottage on Lake Erie. Water always has been and always will be a prominent touchstone in my life.
I love drawing, painting, sculpting and just watching water of all kinds. The rhythms, textures, colors, lines, movement, interplay with rocks, quiet placid moments juxtaposed against wild turbulence...
Water is ever changing and never fails to inspire me.
Water IS life.
