Bears Den Study 1

Bears Den Study 1

  oil on linen  9" x 12"

These studies allow me the freedom to battle with the surface quality and texture, color and value, the form and shallow, constricted space - allowing abstracted qualities to balance with the actual subject. Fairfield Porter, the American painter, wrote that the important thing about representation in painting are its abstract qualities and in abstract painting are its real qualities. I try to pursue that idea in my work.