“We must try, at all costs, to avoid the vacuum of insulated ease.” -Sidney Marsh Chase
I began the American Block series in 2018, after the Parkland, Florida, school shootings. Columbine, Sandy Hook, Marjorie Stoneman Douglas. Once again, I was appalled by our nation’s lack of action in response, and our society’s willingness to sacrifice our children for the sake of what, exactly? Usually not one to make political statements in my work, I felt compelled to respond through my art. I used children’s letter blocks to spell the name of every child killed in four different shootings; not as a form of protest, but to honor each child’s memory; a celebration of their young lives. The exploration of language, culture, memory and common childhood experiences continued into 2021 and the current body of work.
The commonly held political and social ideas that define American culture and allow it to function efficiently have broken down. Such things as tradition, courtesy and the rule of law have seemingly become optional in public behavior. The rise of racism, intolerance and lack of civility are reflective of this evolution. We try to explain the evolving societal norms through language that is often inadequate. And because the actions are irrational or antithetical to an ordered society, we simply lose the proper words. We use words like hero, tragedy, thoughts and prayers to mask our inability to deal with the issues and events on a personal, social, or national level.
Found objects are cultural signifiers of America's past and present cultures. Children's blocks symbolize the inadequacy of our common language to explain the barbarity that exists in American civilized society, while through memory, reflect our common childhood experiences.
The alphabet, words and language and their uses are cultural constructions. Cultural perceptions are shaped by a common language, and through language, a common experience. However, if we remove or alter the language to satisfy personal or political agendas, are we not in danger of permanently altering our culture or losing our national identity? If we cease to use language to decry the horrors occurring daily in our country, then the acts become abstractions that no longer require a response. The horrors are so great, that we simply don’t have the words, so our responses are all emotion; no explanations, no rationale, no solutions. Just emotion.
In a culture where there exists too much of everything, very little remains precious.
mixed media with found objects
2020
15.5 x 15.5 x 3.5”
mixed media with found objects
2019
26 x 7 x 7”
Mixed media on paper
2019
22 x 22”
mixed media with found objects
2018
22.75 x 12.5 x 2.75”
mixed media with found objects
2019
13.75 x 12.5 x 3”
Mixed media with found objects
2019
9.5 x 32 x 2.5”
SOLD
mixed media with found objects
2018
25.5 x 12.25 x 3”
mixed media with found objects
2018
23.75 x 8.75 x 3”
mixed media with found objects
2018
8 x 54.5 x 2.75”
SOLD
Mixed media on paper
2019
30 x 22.5”
Mixed media with found objects
2019
9 x 9 x 2”
SOLD
mixed media with found objects
2020
36 x 36”
mixed media with found objects
2019
77 x 7.5 x 5.5”
SOLD
mixed media with found objects
2019
16 x 7.5 x 16”
mixed media with found objects
2019
26 x 9 x 12”
mixed media with found objects
2019
9 x 9 x 1.5”
2021
mixed media with found objects
22” x 20” x 3”
2021
mixed media with found objects
50” x 28.5” x 3.5”
2020
mixed media with found objects
15” x 15” x 4”
SOLD
2019
mixed media with found objects
23” x 23” x4”
2020
assemblage with found objects
26” x 16” x 5”
2020
assemblage with found objects
15” x 19” x 5”
2020
assemblage with found objects
29” x 28” x 4”
2020
assemblage with found objects
19” x 8” x 5”
PRIVILEGE is about American cultural stereotypes, particularly our perceptions of women and minorities since 1950, and my role as a “privileged white male”. While I wasn’t sure what that meant, or if I was one, I began some self-examination after the ME TOO movement came along. Am I privileged? Have I ever done anything that could be perceived as insulting or degrading to another person? I’m still not sure of anything, and I have not drawn any conclusions, but I continue to look at others through somewhat opened eyes.
2020
mixed media on vintage paper
10” x 7”
2020
mixed media on vintage paper
11” x 8”
mixed media on vintage paper
2017
11 x 8.5”
mixed media with found paper
2020
11 x 8.5”
mixed media on vintage paper
2015
11 x 8”
mixed media on vintage paper
2013
10 x 8”
mixed media on vintage paper
2013
10 x 8.5”
mixed media on vintage paper
2017
11 x 8.5”
mixed media on vintage paper
2015
9.5 x 7”
mixed media on vintage paper
2013
10 x 8”
mixed media on vintage paper
2016
10.25 x 8.5”
mixed media on vintage paper
2015
8.5 x 7.25”
mixed media on vintage paper
2017
10.5 x 8”
mixed media on vintage paper
2015
9 x 7.75”
mixed media on vintage paper
2015
8.25 x 6.5”
mixed media on vintage paper
2017
8.25 x 6.5”
mixed media on vintage paper
2017
8.25 x 7”
mixed media on vintage paper
2013
9.5 x 6.25”
mixed media on vintage paper
2013
10 x 8.5”
mixed media on vintage paper
2013
10 x 8.5”
mixed media on vintage paper
2020
10.25 x 7.75”
mixed media on found paper
2020
11 x 8.5”
mixed media on found paper
2015
9.5 x 6.5”
mixed media on found paper
2013
11 x 8”
mixed media on found paper
2013
11 x 8.5”
mixed media on found paper
2013
9.25 x 6.5”
2020
mixed media on vintage paper
11” x 8”
2020
mixed media on vintage paper
11” x 8”
2020
mixed media on vintage paper
11” x 8”
2020
mixed media on vintage paper
11” x 8”
2020
mixed media on vintage paper
11” x 9”
2020
mixed media on vintage paper
11” x 8.5”
2020
mixed media on vintage paper
11” x 8.5”
2020
mixed media on vintage paper
11” x 8.5”
2020
mixed media on vintage paper
10.5” x 8.5”
2020
mixed media on vintage paper
11” x 8”
2020
mixed media on vintage paper
10” x 7”
2020
mixed media on vintage paper
11” x 8”
mixed media on found paper
2020
11 x 8.5”
mixed media on found paper
2020
11 x 8.5”
mixed media on found paper
2020
11 x 8.5”
mixed media on found paper
2020
11 x 8.5”
mixed media on found paper
2020
11 x 8.5”
mixed media on found paper
2020
11 x 8.5”
mixed media on found paper
2020
11 x 8.5”
mixed media on found paper
2020
11 x 8.5”
mixed media on found paper
2020
11 x 8.5”
mixed media on found paper
2020
11 x 8.5”
mixed media on found paper
2020
11 x 8.5”
mixed media on found paper
2020
11 x 8.5”
mixed media on found paper
2020
11 x 8.5”
mixed media on found paper
2020
11 x 8.5”
I’ve used found objects in my work for 30 years, constantly trying to create work that is devoid of narrative, traditional aesthetics and formal structure. The most recent work reflects my time in mid-coast Maine and the influence of nature and the Maine-ness on me.
mixed media with found objects
2017
17 x 30 x 5”
mixed media with found objects
2017
16 x 27”
mixed media with found objects
2018
6 x 5.75 x 2”
mixed media with found objects
2018
24 x 7.5 x 3.5”
mixed media with found objects
2017
20 x 6.5mx 3.75”
mixed media with found objects
2016
40 x 14.75 x 8”
mixed media with found objects
2016
27 x 14.5 x 9.25”
mixed media with found objects
2015
20 x 11.5 x 5”
SOLD
mixed media with found objects
2016
25 x 10.5 x 7.75”
mixed media with found objects
2016
17.5 x 9 x 7”
mixed media with found objects
2016
15 x 3.75 x 5”
NFS
mixed media with found objects
2017
16 x 10 x 6”
mixed media with found objects
2016
10 x 10.5 x 2”
mixed media with found objects
2015
19 x 10.5 x 5”
mixed media with found objects
2015
12 x 4 x 2.75”
mixed media with found objects
2015
14.5 x 5 x 3.5”
mixed media with found objects
2016
mixed media with found objects
SOLD
mixed media with found objects
2015
18.5 x 13.5 x 1.25”
SOLD
mixed media with found objects
2015
16 x 4.25 x 4”
mixed media with found objects
2015
44.5 x 13.5 x 1.75”
mixed media with found objects
2016
22 x 19.5 x 6.25”
mixed media with found objects
2017
41 x 14.5 x 4.25”
mixed media with found objects
2018
48 x 7.5 x 3.5”
mixed media with found objects
2017
15.75 x 14 x 2.5”
mixed media with found objects
2016
36 x 10.5 x 2.5”
mixed media with found objects
2018
26.25 x 24.5 x 2”
mixed media with found objects
2018
SOLD
mixed media with found objects
2010
40.25 x 17.5 x 3.75”
mixed media with found objects
2015
17.25 x 15.75 x 15.25”
SOLD
mixed media with found objects
2015
33 x 33 x 2”
SOLD
mixed media with found objects
2015
21 x 6 x 7”
mixed media with found objects
2018
23.25 x 24.5 x 2.25”
mixed media with found objects
2016
33.75 x 11 x 2.50”
2017
mixed media with found objects
16 x 5 x 4”
SOLD
2017
mixed media with found objects
14.5 x 5 x 4”
2017
mixed media with found objects
22.5 x 5 x 4”
mixed media with found paper
2017
23 x 15”
mixed media with found paper
2017
23 x 15”
mixed media with found paper
2017
8.5 x 7”
SOLD
Mixed media with found paper
2015
15 x 11”
mixed media on paper
2017
30 x 22.5”
Mixed media with found paper
2015
15 x 11”
Mixed media with found paper
2015
15 x 11”
Mixed media with found paper
2015
15 x 11”
ink and oil pastel on paper
2010
30 x 22”
SOLD
mixed media on paper
mixed media with found paper
2017
16 x 14”
Mixed media with found paper
2015
15 x 11”
Mixed media with found paper
2017
15 x 11”
Mixed media with found paper
2017
15 x 11”
Mixed media with found paper
2017
15 x 11”
Mixed media with found paper
2017
15 x 11”
Mixed media with found objects
2017
15 x 11”
Mixed media with found paper
2017
15 x 11”
Mixed media with found paper
2017
15 x 11”
Mixed media with found paper
2017
15 x 11”
Mixed media with found paper
2017
15 x 11”
Mixed media with found paper
2017
15 x 11”
Mixed media with found paper
2017
15 x 11”
Mixed media with found paper
2017
15 x 11”
Mixed media with found paper
2017
15 x 11”
Mixed media with found paper
2017
15 x 11”
Mixed media with found paper
2017
15 x 11”
This series of paintings deals with the concept of altering the space in which they reside. By altering the space, or the concept of occupied space, I hope to allow the viewer to view the paintings as integral to the volume of the room thereby altering our perception of the space in toto; the room, volume, paintings, furnishings, and other people.
acrylic on paper
2018
30 x 22.5”
acrylic on paper
2018
30 x 22.5”
acrylic on paper
2018
30 x 22.5”
acrylic on paper
2018
30 x 22.5”
acrylic on paper
2018
30 x 22.5”
acrylic on paper
2018
30 x 22.5”
acrylic and pastel on paper
2018
30 x 22.5”
acrylic on paper
2019
30 x 22.5”
acrylic on paper
2018
30 x 22.5”
acrylic on paper
2018
11.5 x 10”
acrylic on paper
2018
30 x 22.5”
acrylic on paper
2018
30 x 22.5”
acrylic and pastel on paper
2018
30 x 22.5”
acrylic on paper
2018
11.5 x 10”
acrylic on paper
2018
112.5 x 10”
acrylic on paper
2018
11.5 x 10”
acrylic on paper
2018
11.5 x 10”
