Art That Tells Stories

The Story Behind the Art

I come from a long line of storytellers. My family weaves words or music, sometimes both, into colorful stories. I use paintbrushes and computers to tell slice-of-life stories. I paint from photographs, often manipulating the photo digitally until I have an altered reality that appeals to me. My background as a graphic designer comes in handy here.

Once I’m happy with my digital vision, I recreate it on canvas. My process is slow and deliberate. First, I plot the storyline. What’s happening in this story? And, is there more than one action happening? Once I have my storyline, then I lay it out on canvas. Next, I develop the character. Does this story feature one character, or are there multiple? Is the character the central figure in my story, or just one of several? These answers dictate the character’s prominence, and ultimately, location on my canvas. Finally, I add the details. These nuances add visual interest and keep the story from morphing into something dull or predictable.

I think of my painting technique as “stylized realism,” sandwiched between realism and impressionism. The meaning of my painted stories, clichéd as it sounds, are left to the mind of the observer.