The Importance of Edges in a Painting

Orange Cap & Plastic Cup Under Natural Light, 2009
Oil on Canvas Mounted on Panel, 16" x 18"


The issue of edges in my work, over the years, has become an important issue to me to the point of obsession. The edgework in my paintings between object and space tend to be soft and diffuse. Negative and positive space (object, background and foreground) are blended into each other to render a misty, fog-like effect.

Trees, houses, city streets, skyscrapers, parked cars, fences, roads disappearing into mist have always fascinated me with a sense of mystery, of the mystical.

I try to capture these mysterious and mystical qualities in my still life paintings. I want the viewer to perceive and understand that these plastic, recyclable containers can be seen and sensed in many other contexts besides their original intended purpose.

I want to give divine status to my subject matter, these modern, utilitarian objects that express our age.