Whereas painting is like music, drawing is like meditation. Drawing is direct and pure, closer to the hand and heart. No changes, no second thoughts. Drawing is the base, where ideas and language are born.
“Four Heads” felt pen on paper 2017
“Man Woman” felt pen on paper 2017
“Seated Woman” Felt pen on paper 2017
“Woman” Felt pen on paper 2015
Sketchbooks are the source of my work. I prefer my sketchbooks over all. They are where it all begins, the very birth of an idea. Nearly all of my paintings began as sketches, and most probably in a sketchbook. I never try to copy a sketch or drawing onto a canvas, because it is exactly that, a copy. Moreover, I create a language, and try to bring that language to the canvas.
“Woman” sketchbook
“Man” sketchbook
“Women” study sketches
Study sketches, this is where the purest ideas begin. Not thinking about framing it, or showing it. Just putting down some ideas from the head and the heart to the hand.
“Man and Woman”
Drawing, such freedom of possibilities. Black and white, color, it’s all magic. The speed of the line, the hatching, but most importantly, the spontaneity and the honesty.
The Rodeo
The rodeo has always been something of awe for me. The cowboys, their gear and of course the Bronco. Something more of myth, films and books than of reality. I grew up in the city of Detroit. No horses their and certainly no rodeos. But when I was about eight years old, a neighbor couple invited my brother and I to go to a rodeo. We were very excited and it did not let us down. Walking near the cages, seeing these cowboys preparing to mount a wild horse or bull, it was like walking in a film for us. The excitement of the crowd is nearly as intoxicating as the the actual rodeo. I’ve always been intrigued by their gear, cowboy hats, gloves, spurs, chaps, bandana and boots. That’s the rodeo.
