As one of the Founding Artists 5 years ago, and an annual Collective Artist from 2019-2021, I am super excited to return to the Blue Moon Gallery July 20-August 11 for an exciting SOLO EXHIBITION. I will be featuring a whole new collection of my geometric abstraction paintings and assemblages from my ever evolving “Both Sides” Series. This new collection features extra large pieces, dramatic color palettes, complex shapes that go beyond squares and rectangles, and a new emphasis on textures.

The Opening Reception on July 27 will feature live music, wine & refreshments, an outdoor pop-up show, and a lively social atmosphere. The gallery is known for outstanding installations and immersing its visitors in beauty. Blue Moon Gallery is located in the northern suburbs of Chicago just south of the Wisconsin border and just west of Lake Michigan — it has easy local, county, and interstate access. Lots of restaurants nearby, too!

PLAN YOUR VISIT

Thank you to the Daily Herald for their press article.

ARTIST STATEMENT

Previous Work

To create my earlier work, I employed two contrasting painting techniques—wet/dry and glossy/flat—on each side of a single canvas. I then deconstructed the canvas using pre-determined geometric cut patterns, sometimes into over 200 pieces. By flipping every other piece and reassembling the canvas, I revealed the contrasting techniques side by side. These pieces were glued to a new substrate, producing a final image with fresh optical energy, vibrant color palettes, and captivating patterns, offering exhilarating perspectives on geometric abstraction.

Characteristics of the New Collection

Objectives For my newer work, I aimed to explore the convergence of shapes, creating a redefined and broader aesthetic. This included innovations in shape, color, and new painting methods.

Complex Shapes: Cross, Octagon, Compass Advancing the geometric aspect of my compositions, I introduced the cross, octagon, and compass. These 8- and 12-sided shapes allowed for more intricate cut-and-assemble patterns compared to the 4-sided rectangles and squares I previously used.

Textures In earlier works, colors were blended visually using a random “splatter” technique. In my newer pieces, I blend colors deliberately with a paintbrush, creating gradations that add depth and textures previously absent.

Enhanced Color Palette Each painting is meticulously planned to balance and harmonize shapes in terms of size, form, and color. Inspired by ombre effects, I incorporated color combinations along with gold, silver, iridescent black, and iridescent white. These, combined with new textures, result in vibrant color palettes that infuse the work with kinetic energy.

Duality The new works introduce control/surprise, foreground/background, and positive/negative space.

Large Sizes & Expanded Complexity Larger canvases provide the space to expand the complexity of shape combinations, resulting in unusual and surprising compositions. When dissecting my paintings into individual components, I appreciate the multitude of shapes and find joy in each section as much as in the whole. I find fulfillment in the visual appeal generated by the interaction of simple shapes, individually or in combination, resulting in a captivating aesthetic that brings the painting to life and invites deeper viewer engagement.