Oil Paintings

This oil painting was a journey. The transition from initial composition to final piece was an accurate metaphor about how we transition through challenges we face in our daily lives. The story of the painting started as a hiker achieving a monstrous goal as he completed his conquest up the summit. As time went on in my studio and in my life. The painting went through a series of compositional overhauls. Sanding, scratching, soft and aggressive strokes were some of the actions and emotions that went into this transition.

I saw this painting taking on a different theme. One of the passing of a storm into the softness of ambient light. The painting made this change because I related it to the way we must handle the roller coaster life can bring us on. There may be periods of darkness and strong tides but you must continue your journey towards the light. I intertwine the "light" in this painting to happiness, calmness, and trust in our decisions.  You will always break through the thickness of the stormy sea.
 

Painted in oils inspired from one of the most peaceful days I can recall. During my visit in Rome, one day was dedicated to walking through and taking in the divine landscape in the Villa Borghese Gardens. As I sat there sketching, I felt this overwhelming feeling of calm peacefulness. There were people in the park, but I felt alone. I felt like the only person on the planet. Just engulfed in the landscape and the soft light that pierced through the fields. In the original composition the view was much busier and full. As I painted the layers of color I saw that I was not capturing the feeling that I had felt while I was there. With elimination and adjustments I felt much more connected with the painting as it became more calm.

Being in the Villa Borghese Garden is a abstract and divine experience. One that everyone should experience.  

The Window to Roma is a painting inspired by my Fiance's glance out of our rooms window to the streets of Rome. The soft light that passed through the room left deep contrast full of rich warm hues spreading through the floor boards and curtains. Her glance was full of such subtle emotion. It was if she was pairing into a history. This thought came to mind knowing how this trip was so deeply connected with her family. The light was welcoming and true.

This small work on board was inspired by the everlasting symbolism the Roman Forum is to the world. The Roman Forum represents so many levels of mankind. It radiates a colorful history full of foundations for structure of the world we live in today. I envisioned using color that was luminous and golden. Ideal situations throughout the landscape. I wanted to also play with the simplistic aspects of the structures. Getting away from the pure beauty of the Forums columns. Instead of fixating myself on the architecture, I felt more inclined to paint the perpetual depth the Forum's landscape has and also paint the lavish color that has been seen by the generations that have seen the history before their eyes.