After many years of 3D work in functional metal designs for the home, (furniture, lighting and accessories) I am returning to my first arts, which are photography and painting.

Intriguing imagery and the illusion of space are my objectives in the creation of my Photo Panel work. These wall panels are formed from aluminum or steel to create a metal canvas to which I apply images. The imagery is personal photos digitally manipulated and printed on several different transparent media. The images are adhered to the metal canvas along with other media; paint, gold leaf, paper, or wood.

I often choose my subject by “mining” old snapshots and slides for images or partial images that tell more of a story that the original intention of the photograph.  Often, the look of the subject, their clothing, or someone else, unintentionally caught in the picture at the moment of the shutter release, is enough to spark an idea.  As the image evolves I make changes to meanings by including other similar images, reversed overlays of the same image or some text describing a feeling or moment in the subject’s life.

My new portrait series uses photos I’ve taken of friends or family to begin the work.  Heavy digital manipulation and separately layered output create depth in the image when applied to my aluminum canvas.  All photography used in the final image is original.

The combination of my experiences in many media has resulted in this body of work that is being well received in both galleries and by private collectors.  Creating this work gives me the freedom to explore and constantly push the boundaries of what I want to do with my art.