1OO Towers
I am deeply interested in the dichotomy of natural and human forces at work in the Florida landscape—remnants of primordial, pristine environments and the imposition of rapid development on the land. These paintings are influenced by such circumstances.
100 Towers portrays water tanks found in skies above and around Lake County. Tracking down and studying these coolly utilitarian, visually abandoned beacons and the places they help define, has given me new insight into idiosyncrasies inherent in tower culture (and culture in general). Translated through paint the towers become metaphors of contrast: of monumentality and insignificance, offensiveness and intrigue, artificiality and nature. Iconic in form, the juxtaposition of these paintings evokes surprise, humor, and enlightenment.
100 Towers portrays water tanks found in skies above and around Lake County. Tracking down and studying these coolly utilitarian, visually abandoned beacons and the places they help define, has given me new insight into idiosyncrasies inherent in tower culture (and culture in general). Translated through paint the towers become metaphors of contrast: of monumentality and insignificance, offensiveness and intrigue, artificiality and nature. Iconic in form, the juxtaposition of these paintings evokes surprise, humor, and enlightenment.
Paintings on panel 6" x 5"
The culmination of 100 Towers was impelled by a sense of play found through a crazy and variable search. A formal given from the outset of the series required contact with every tower I could find within a 50 mile radius from home. All other factors were a roll of the dice--unknown lures, only in play upon the moment of encounter . . . a chance and choice operation of selective dictates as process: --light i.e. intensity, temperature, opalescence, local color; --time i.e. properties of value and weather; --setting i.e. perspective, scale, environmental complexity/simplicity, fitting levels of physicality; --tower style i.e. witch hat, spherical, tank, standpipe, etc. Intuition as well as overt conditions influenced outcomes for each painting.
Working with water towers turned out to be a way of approaching a new, seemingly odd if not foreign landscape--to appreciate a place through creating and accepting its welcome. Engagement with 140 of these paintings helped that to happen.
Working with water towers turned out to be a way of approaching a new, seemingly odd if not foreign landscape--to appreciate a place through creating and accepting its welcome. Engagement with 140 of these paintings helped that to happen.
