This series was influenced primarily by the events of 9-11 and two artworks I viewed shortly before moving out of New York in 2006. The first was a Saul Steinberg drawing 'Cassino' of an elongated bomber jet peppering tiny tanks that zigzag ant-like up a mountainside. The second was a hand woven Afghani rug with tanks and long guns protruding from turrets woven along the rug border. For the last thirty years war machinery has become a common motif used by traditional women weavers of Afghanistan. Both artworks make use of the complicated violent machinery of their age and reduce it to it a playful geometric design element. Continuing in this iconic vein, I apply colors in layers weaving them into the background. Hatches and line work of contrasting colors are juxtaposed to bring out the grain of the wood support and add an ambiguous 3D appearance. I get additional inspiration from the computer game industry, and the colorful vibrations of high technology.
I was born in England, grew up in California and spent most of my adult life in San Francisco. In the 1990s I earned an MFA from University of Michigan in Printmaking, worked as a college art teacher, and then a computer game artist. In the early part of this decade I grew restless and moved around the east coast trying out cities the way some people try on new shoes. I discovered that there are simpler ways to change one’s scenery than move someplace new, and moved once again back to SF where I live. I now try to get out of the city whenever I can to travel and explore.
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