An American Food Icon: The Burger
The Burger Still Life Statement
What does Warhol, Van Dijck, Van Gogh, Louise Moillon, and Cezanne each have in common as artists? They each have created works on food. In this form of still life painting, food painting gave us more opportunities to understand about the cultural life-styles of the past.
From ancient Egyptians carving depictions of crops and breads on tablets, to hyper-realistic grapes painted by Dutch masters, food and art have a long and rich relationship. In my Burger Series, I wanted to explore our own modern culinary choice. In the past, this scene on the table would be complex and depict a bottle of milk, flour, salt, eggs, bowls, utensils, a whisk, a slab of freshly butchered beef, a grinder, lettuce, tomatoes (still on the vine) , onions and possible probably a carafe of wine.
In my still life, all of these ingredients are still there, yet the narrative is not about all of these ingredients separate, it is about the anticipation of the senses, and the need for the ultimate moment during the explosion of flavor from the first bite. I want the viewer, whether a lover of this all- American dish, or not, to “taste” mentally and let one’s imagination carry them. Also, to finish this icon of the American palate, I felt the use of gold leaf was an appropriate tribute to the delectable burger. Enjoy.
STILL LIFE SERIES--URBAN
A selection of everyday items. These are useful, needful things the make ones life reasonably bearable. Not expensive to aquire but priceless in its meaning.
White Series
Inspired by Mark Rothko, and many other abstract expressionists, I wanted to create a series of internal monologues in textures and color. The monochromatic nature of this series is also reflected in my Blue, Black, and White Series respectively.
These works are intuitive and nonedited works. By making marks this way, it eliminates me as the creator but the conveyer of nature's gift. Non-judgment and mainly expressive through the voice of the muse.