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The works that I create are reflections of life lived within two cultures: Irish American and Venezuelan. Although worlds apart, they share many similarities with spiritual and family values. My love for color, form, and nature, as well as my choice of subject matter has been directly influenced by them.
There are no specific subjects that I prefer to paint. Human or amimal or nature forms that have special meanings get the creative juices going. My subjects don't have to be beautiful or exciting, but their forms and color must light an emotional spark within me. The subject also dictates the medium or mediums that I will use in my paintings. I do not consider myself a medium "purist". Although, knowing the limits of different mediums is importanat. I will use some mediums in the studio and others in Plein Air.
It is exciting as well as difficult to capture the atmospheric conditions while painting in Plein Air, and the works done on location are mostly sketches. My studio paintings are results of Plein Air color sketches and photography. Studio models and photography are the basis of my figure painting. I will begin painting from a basic study and continue to develop an idea. Here color is also important. Although, I work from a limited color palette, I have learned to develop extensive color hues. The 20th century painters: Frida Kahlo, Goerges Roeuault, and Leon Golub, used color in different ways to express their personal and narrative art.
I have mentioned artists the I admire in this statement. their use of color developed from a limited palette (in their paintings) has influenced me to do the same. Also, relaying on years of formal training and pulling from my cultural bacakground, I have developed my own style.
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