dogpopart

I studied art and business at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA, but my unorthodox style has developed over many years with numerous influences. Early on, my painting style was influenced by working with mosiacs. I use the background color as a negative to build up the foreground positively in order to create a three dimensional form. As my graphic/ hard edge style has evolved, there has become a strong influence by Pop Art and Fauvism. The influence of Pop Art is seen instantly in my graphic style and my use of everyday, ordinary creatures. You can see Fauvism's influence with the large plains of bold color that I use and the reduction of color to a minimum. Also, I am drawn to various paintings by Matisse where he uses intricate patterns on rugs and background designs.

To execute my paintings, I use a very small brush, acrylics, acrylic mediums and gold leaf on canvas. As I visually break down my image, I deconstruct it to negative and positive space using bold color as an independent structural element. My foregrounds and/ or backgrounds are reflective of the mood of the painting or my subject's personality.

As far as my choice of dog breeds and domestic house cats for my subject, one can readily see my sense of humor (especially in my titles) or adoration for a four legged friend, but often there is a specific theme in many of my large paintings as I feel that these creatures have much to teach. Maybe it is "living in the moment" or "undying optimism" or possibly a certain "joie de vie" or maybe I do just have a great sense of humor...

In addition to a large mural in Decatur, Georgia, my work can be found in private collections across the US as well as these galleries; Art Cats Gallery in Muskegon, Michigan; Artworks in Eagle River, Alaska; Savanah Art Works in Savannah, Georgia; The Village Firefly in Houston, Texas; Art! Space in Livermore, California; Side Street Framers in Severna Park, Maryland; Catfish River Art and Antiques in Stoughton, Wisconsin and A Thousand Faces in Nashville, Tennessee. My work can also be found in these specialty stores; Pet Sage in Alexandria, Virginia; Bone-a-Fide Bakery in Black Mountain, North Carolina; The Posey Peddler in Jonesboro, Arkansas and S Bayly Boutique in Louisville, Kentucky. Also, I can be found at numerous juried fine art shows across the US.