Magellan’s Dance Painting

Painting the Cosmos.... The universe is an integral part of our existence, yet anything beyond Earth lies outside the periphery of our consciousness. Thanks to the hustle and bustle of everyday life, we only see city lights, while the wonder of the stars overhead stretches to infinity. I am an impressionist. In my paintings I depict my impression of universe, which I form based on what I learn about the subject from astronomy-focused websites. I study the images of the universe and paint the impression of what I imagine goes about within that environment. While researching the subject, my note-taking leads to an impression that I then distill into a sketch or sculpture to create a preliminary visual concept, a foundation for further development. My work is the result of investigation, planning, and intuition. When creating a painting, I apply as many as 50 layers of pigment to give the artwork its depth and texture. I apply pigment in various ways, using palette knives to create heavy layers of paint, or with fine brushes to delineate shapes. Depending on the subject matter, I may apply the foundation pigment in a smooth layer, such as to create a mist, while at other times I may use a heavily textured technique to convey the illusion of a solid mass. In this way, layers contribute to the underlying dynamic energy in my work. I also use small brushes, sculpted sponges, or other tools to define shapes. It’s as if I took a pencil and outlined shapes appearing in clouds in the sky. The true character of the painting reveals itself during this developmental process, just as recognizable forms materialize in clouds before your eyes. Fortunately, oil is a versatile medium that fosters the freedom of expression I require to depict stardust and cosmic gases of the universe. When the city lights are bright at night, let my canvas be your window to the stars. I invite you to accompany me on my journey through the cosmos.