David B. Smith Gallery

Artist Statement:

Although these sensitive themes are sometimes very challenging to work with, I find the process to be deeply rewarding.

I use a variety of symbols to illustrate my intersecting ideas, such as lace, money, insects, text, foreign languages, seeds, and grasses. I strive to initially capture my audience with the beauty in my paintings, and then let the underlying meanings of different symbols reveal themselves slowly.

Much of my work requires months of research, planning, and execution. I enjoy the challenging materials that I work with, as they leave only a small margin for error. I also enjoy the intensity of the method, which has taken years to perfect. This process is balanced with quiet time shooting photographs, drawing patterns and sketching insects with meticulous anatomical detail.