I can still remember being five or six years old with both my parents and grandparents telling me to stay within the lines. What they were referring to were, contour lines of figures in the many coloring books they went out of their way to purchase for me. Those were very difficult times for them, but they saw to it that I got what I needed to keep me busy and happy. Growing up, they also told me how difficult it was going to be for me in general and how to deal with it. Of course, I wasn't able to adhere to their 'within the line' wishes, but today I know that it contributed in a small way, to my free spirit mentality.
There are viewers of my work that tell me that they think at times some of my work crosses the line; my answer is, I'm sorry, I've been crossing lines all of my life and I'm not going to stop now.
Finances for a full time art education for me, was totally out of the question. It annoyed me for a very brief period, but I was always (laser) focused on what my ultimate goals would be. I took evening classes, hundreds of workshops, modeled, listened to the advise of many established artist, made countless trips to the MFA and practiced incessantly. I'm proud of what I've accomplished thus far. It's not over yet. I'm still learning.
Art is who I am, meditation, my spiritual guide. I draw because of the deep burning passion and love I have inside. Inspiration comes to me in dreams, happy accidents, meditation, listening to classical music, long walks in the woods, ocean voyages and after viewing what many other dedicated artist have created throughout the centuries. There are times when I feel as though my art has me walking on that fine line of genius and insanity. There is a pulsating cerebral connection in me to the imaginary world of art. I did say imaginary. It's not.
I don't follow trends nor the wishes of those that might want to dictate to me. I set very high standards for my art that are rarely mimicked. Maybe this is part of my art's allure. My collectors often tell me how they are pulled back to an image, after owning it for many years, only to discover something they had not seen before.
That is my wish, for the viewer to make my art a creation of their own. Simply taking the time to really see it. By doing that, you, the art, and me the artist, have establish an artistic spiritual bond.