I  have been painting for the past forty years in Belgium and the NYC area. I painted hard-edge non-geometric abstract paintings which over time had forms that resembled living beings (biomorphic). In the last five years I have been  painting more or less realistic paintings of nudes done from drawing of models interspersed with abstract or abstracted paintings. These paintings incorporate the idea of the nude  in nature of classical painting as a model.  I have used themes such as the painter and his model and some paintings after Matisse and others to construct paintings.

Most of my abstracted art of the last fifteen years consists of non-overlapping figures in an abstracted nature-like space. These figures were given considerable space to interact with each other in a sort of non-verbal conversation. Abstract or abstracted art has one of three contexts: nature, a room-like indoor space or non-contextual space such as abstract expressionist paintings. 

Ever since my first painting I have been concerned with pictorial balance and visual coherency. About ten years ago I understood how to "finish" a picture as to understanding when a picture is finished. (see notes on composition.) This has given me considerable freedom in composition because I do not need to worry until I am in the finishing stages. A paintings initially begins with images drawn from nature or just drawn. These are combined, and studies are painted with then watercolor. A painting may go through many watercolor studies if needed.

 If asked "what is it about" or "what are you trying to express"  I would be at a loss for words.  My art is not self-expression. My paintings  have dates as titles  and would be given general titles such as "three nudes in a landscape" if they were exhibited. Art is a visual experience, and it  fails for me if it has to be explained. Painting is a competitive "sport" always referring to past or contemporary work. Since I find little contemporary work to inspire me,  I look to older work for this.

It has been said that my paintings lack "gravitas." Perhaps they would better fit the contemporary mentality if they were enormous and could have a semblance of tragedy.  

9/30/15

REVIEWS

EXHIBITIONS

1979     solo exhibition Gallery 84 , New York, NY 

1981     solo exhibition Gallery 84 , New York, NY

1983    group exhibition Gallery 84, New York, NY

1984    solo exhibition Gallery 84,  New York, NY

1985    group exhibition, Gallery 84, New York, NY

1986    solo exhibition, Public Library, Teaneck, NJ

1990     solo exhibition  Public Library, Teaneck NJ

1994    group exhibition Galleria Major, Majorca, Spain

2000     solo exhibition, Public Library, Teaneck, NJ

2006 - 2014  Visual Aids NYC group exhibition

2007     group exhibition Gotham Gallery, New York, NY

2008    group exhibition Gotham Gallery, New York, NY