Having grown up in the suburbs around Phoenix, Arizona, I am very well acquainted with stucco. In the Southwestern US, we use it to finish the surface of almost any architectural structure you can think of: houses, bridges, walls, etc. Perhaps it is due to the lack of diversity in my surroundings, or a lifetime of over-saturation, but I have never been much of a fan of stucco. I’ve longed for the varied textures, scale, and proportions of walls made from wood panels or bricks, as seen elsewhere in the US.
So, I decided to challenge myself as an artist to look for beauty where I’ve previously thought it lacking. Exploring storefronts and receiving docks in strip malls and business parks across the Phoenix Metro area became my mission. I devoted many hours and miles to the hunt for interesting relationships between colors, shapes, lines, light and shadows. It also taught me to be more mindful in my home surroundings. It sharpened my awareness and skills of observation, knowing that the next image might be waiting for me in the most unexpected, mundane place. Working exclusively with color, and with such intensity, has been a new adventure for me. However, I still recognize myself in the minimal, graphic composition of each image.
STUCCOLAND! book now available
So, I decided to challenge myself as an artist to look for beauty where I’ve previously thought it lacking. Exploring storefronts and receiving docks in strip malls and business parks across the Phoenix Metro area became my mission. I devoted many hours and miles to the hunt for interesting relationships between colors, shapes, lines, light and shadows. It also taught me to be more mindful in my home surroundings. It sharpened my awareness and skills of observation, knowing that the next image might be waiting for me in the most unexpected, mundane place. Working exclusively with color, and with such intensity, has been a new adventure for me. However, I still recognize myself in the minimal, graphic composition of each image.
STUCCOLAND! book now available