-Select work from the MLA Format and Frames of Mine series were also included in this exhibition. Those paintings are noted in their respective folders.

Artist Statment

The Admiration Series is a body of work that pays homage to painters that I deeply respect. Each painting celebrates at least one artist in a carefully composed and meaningful way. I make a point to look past bias to recognize passion and genuine depth in an artist’s work and frame of mind. From Piet Mondrian’s pre-abstracts to Wayne Thiebaud’s colorful pop art, the artists that I have selected span many artistic movements and represent varying aesthetic styles.

As the series is a celebration the paintings are comprised of vibrantly shimmering colors, all tightly woven together with layers of energetic brushstrokes. I have taken great care not to paint contrived paintings, but rather work that is fun and insightful all at the same time. I have also chosen to paint in varying styles and mediums. While oil on panel makes up the majority of work, he branches out to canvas, linen and also watercolor and acrylic on paper. This was done intentionally so each painting was started with a fresh approach.

For me, living and working in the city of Hartford has played a large role in the construction of the series. The landscapes can be seen around the city and the portraits depict people who live and work here. I strongly believes that art is a result of one’s experience and that to create work with substance an artist must draw direct inspiration from life. Correctly balancing this ideal with the overall concept of the show has been a goal of mine since The Admiration Series start.

Accompanying each painting you will find a paragraph that provides insight about the artist I am paying homage to. How I have conceived and composed the painting will also be noted.