Anonymous, 2015 - present 

In 2015, not knowing what to paint, I came across a black and white photo from 1916, printed in a magazine. The photo was of a young woman, head tilted upward, engaging the viewer with a direct but subtle gaze; her eyes slightly open. Her face was broken down into dramatic yet soft lights and darks. Intrigued by her confrontation and the play of light on her face, I painted a portrait, in monochrome, sculpting the head with paint.

After the painting was complete, I made another. And another. And another. I titled the series 'Anonymous,' as at the time, I did not know the identity of the woman. I observed as my own paintings took on a presence and life of their own, while all paying homage to the light, structure, and confrontation of this unknown face from a century ago. Several years later I discovered the woman’s identity, and this resulted in a pause. Who was I to replicate, modify, and distort her image? What if someone did that to my face a century from now? Could she still be 'anonymous' in my portraits?

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I intuitively respond to personal and universal events and experiences, using portraiture as a vehicle. I then channel the myriad of thoughts and emotions that come with each, into my work.

Some paintings harbor feelings of death and destruction; some, peace and calm. Viewers connect with different portraits, often bringing their own stories and backgrounds. As viewers interpret and relate their experiences to mine, the 'Anonymous' series binds the viewer to the artist and the artist to the viewer, allowing for an unspoken exchange of human identity and relationships.

Each painting begins with the same composition and structure. Using the same nondescript palette, the face is built up using the same light and shadow. Only until these elements are in place does each painting begin to take on a different appearance. Paintings are non-meditated, brought up and erased, repeatedly, until deemed complete.