Artist Statement
For reasons I do not entirely comprehend painting has been something I desired to do from the moment I saw my first art exhibit in Tel Aviv, Israel. It was an abstract art show. At the time I just completed my army service , and was just embarking on a professional career in Physical Organic chemistry which continued till 2005.
Up until that time my focus has been music (the piano) and science. I don't recall drawing or painting at school but I remember being overwhelmed and intensely moved by the explosion of color I witnessed. I immediately signed up for a short studio art class and fell in love with the process. I knew that someday I would love to devote more time to it.
It wasn't until 25 years later that I finally took another art class.. learning to see and draw and the basics of paintings. Another 10 years passed until I finally retired and have been able to devote my full attention to painting and further art classes.
I am mostly drawn to non objective art. It's taken me a long while to articulate to myself why this form of art appeals to me as much as it does. An abstract painting is to me a pure expression of color and form, much like a musical melody you can hear and hum, with no words. Just tones and rhythm... It is not meant to describe a scene, a thing, a thought or a message. It simply plays color and rhythm in a visual melody that words cannot describe.
It is curious how people never ask themselves, "What is this melody or symphony or concerto supposed to mean" yet when viewing a painting one frequently seeks a reference in reality. Perhaps because I played the piano for many years I never felt at odds with a "message-free" visual expression..
When I envision a painting it is the initial colors that I see. Form evolves to serve the colors which continues to evolve to serve the emerging forms in a dialogeffort to achieve some happy balance of the two.
I paint in oils and acrylics, frequently using a palette knife. I feel it allows me the ability to apply broad strokes of color wet on wet.