I've always been intrigued by factories because they truly follow the philosophy, "form follows function". Aesthetics are overwhelmed by the dictates of efficiency and feasibility. These structures encompass numerous geometric shapes and intersecting and converging lines on a scale of mammoth proportions. The viewer can't help but wonder what purpose these varied structures serve. My paintings are an attempt to portray the existential, expressionistic aspects of the industrial landscape as a reflection of our society and our time. I convey this vision in the atmospheric, raw, energetic use of paint, which is applied with graffiti-like immediacy. The vigorous brushwork complements a vibrant color palette.In contrast, the buildings are simplified to their essentials, giving them additional stature. Landscapes that, at one time, were icons of productivity, power, prosperity and accomplishment are now deserted. Some
paintings have of a retro, black and white palette, reinforcing our collective, perceived memory of historical reference, evoking the past and our social perception of the post-World War II generation. Other works depict deep shadows and muted colors, suggesting the passage of time and the waning of an era. Barren, windowless facades and empty, vanishing roads suggest the solitude and vacancy of these abandoned monoliths. The Post-Industrial landscapes of present-day Cleveland are illustrated in vivid colors, representing recent memory and the unwillingness of the past to slip away quietly.
