Studio Notes

Finding Artistic Focus in the Residue of Failure

At the beginning of 2026, I wanted to make a new series of collages, but I lacked a strong focus or unifying principle for the series. I knew a lot about what I wanted to do: I wanted to continue to use ink and charcoal on a variety of art papers as my raw materials; I wanted to work larger than my previous collage series; I wanted to evoke the effects of light on the landscape more explicitly than before. Those intentions could be enough for a respectable series—but I was hankering for something stronger.

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Description of the Series

A series of semi-abstract collages, mostly evocative of landscapes and/or the natural world. Made with self-made patterned papers, plus some rust-speckled salvaged paper and some tissue paper rubbings. Soft graphite and/or sanguine shading on most; ink stippling on some. All are 5″x7″.

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Description of the Series

This series of “vegetable icons” depicts individual fruits and vegetables. The series was created in late 2024. These are small (5×7 inch) paintings in oil on paper, made using a subtractive technique. That technique, along with the interaction of the oil paint with the primed paper, create an unusual visual texture with a sense of illumination and mystery.

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