I am pleased to present my 10th solo exhibition at First Street Gallery. This is the 5th body of work inspired by my recent travels in the Rift Valley.
Four years ago I began experimenting with collage, which in turn, renewed my interest in a flattened pictorial space and expressionistic color. I have since replaced scissors and paper with a brush and paint to explore the shape, texture, color and overall beauty of the Serengeti and its endless grasslands stretching under enormous skies.
One of my favorite subjects has been the Black Thorn Acacia. With its white cotton ball-like flowers, intermingled with edible leaves and 4″ black thorns; it is beautiful, and can at times provide food and shelter but presents a challenge for most animals with the exception of the African elephant.
Another source of inspiration has been termite mounds. They are enormous castle-like structures, rising twice my height, in colors red, black, brown and even white depending upon the surrounding earth.
Reality informs and inspires this imaginary world that I paint. However, natural color is disassociated from the object, replaced with a palette inspired by African textile. This distortion allows me to play with endless interpretations of a world within a world.
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