“The Attic” -
This pen and ink series of drawings is something I have been continuously working on since 2002. Often times my work spurs in a variety of directions, but pen and ink drawing always seems to be the tie that binds all of my creative endeavors. “The Attic”, as I call them, began while living in South America over a two and a half year timeframe. Living in a very remote area of Paraguay, without access to conventional artist tools, my goal was to create an extensive series of sketches. The dream was to someday return from this journey with a catalogue of ideas I could then put onto canvas.
In the case of “The Attic” series, I had three specific influences. The first was the inspiration of photographer Joel-Peter Witkin. Witkin is often noted for his dark and sometimes visceral photos. The underlying theme in much of his work involves taking figures that might strike fear and disgust, and posing them to be objects of beauty. His challenge to the witness is to contradict personal and/or societal perceptions and enter his world where the darkness is the light. His photos helped me question conventional beauty, and challenge my perception and view of the world around me as an artist. The second influence was living outside General Aquino, Paraguay, as a development worker. Being removed from the American bubble, I was constantly challenged to evolve and find beauty in simplicity. And finally, the third influence was the music of Bob Dylan. His work permeated my experience and inspired me to visually make sense of my world’s transformation.
On display at O'Niell's Pub until November 2, 2008.
O'Niell's Pub
4310 Central Ave SE
(Central at Washington
in East Nob Hill)
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