I’m now of the age where the important aspects of being human are more likely take the form of questions, rather than answers. The questions are the big ones that hang over us all of our lives. As an artist, it felt natural to want to explore these questions in a painting, initially thinking that it would take the form of a self portrait.
I had intended to do a single painting, but as I worked with the photos I took of myself, I realized that the range of thoughts and feelings I was trying to deal with was larger than one painting could handle. The concept that was evolving reminded me of the musical works in the classical repertoire where a larger piece is made up of several movements, forms like symphonies and string quartets. So, I decided to make more than one painting, and use the string quartet as a model. Each painting would stand on its own, and also come together with the other three to say something larger than one painting could. The last string quartets of Beethoven are typically referred to as late quartets, and that seemed like an appropriate title
for the series.
I don’t view these paintings as being a definitive statement on the nature of our presence in the world. They are personal meditations… more like passing thoughts, moments of wondering.
“Midnight”, 22” x 28”, Oil on Linen
“Philosophy”, 22” x 28”, Oil on Linen
“Crucible”, 22” x 28”, Oil on Linen
“Metaphor”, 22” x 28”, Oil on Linen
