Carcinosinum's Magic - Artist Statement

In my paintings, everything flows together. Diverse colors, lines and shapes - People, places, plants and things are woven into one harmonious, functional ecosystem. I want to remind viewers that we humans, in all our diversity, are essentially interconnected, and with thoughtfulness, can function together harmoniously as well.

When I start a painting, I turn on some music, face my paper and choose whether to begin with black ink or watercolor paint. I rely on improvisation and a stream of consciousness approach to let my life's experiences bubble up and flow out as shapes and lines, colors and textures. I follow my muse, disregard self judgements, and finish nearly every piece I start. I often find the worst paintings at the beginning become my favorites in the end. When things are flowing well, I feel I have done nothing, except allowed the piece to take shape and become something beautiful. I REALLY like seeing what comes next, that keeps me painting.

My earliest and biggest artistic influences are my favorite artist/authors from long ago - Remy Charlip, Maurice Sendak, Richard Scarry, Dr. Seuss, Arnold Lobel, and others. Then came Klee, Dubuffet, M.C. Escher, and others. Instagram delivers my current favorites daily - Robert Hardgrave, Tyler Keeton Robbins, Maria Lundstrom, Tulio Paracampos, Tim Biskup and many others… I’m especially inspired by the structures and movements of growing plants, religious architecture of the world, and the paradoxical power of homeopathic medicine.

When I was about 25, I read this, “If you are a poet, you will see clearly that there is a cloud floating in this sheet of paper. Without a cloud, there will be no rain; without rain, the trees cannot grow; and without trees, we cannot make paper. The cloud is essential for the paper to exist. If the cloud is not here, the sheet of paper cannot be here either.” - Thich Nhat Hanh. He calls it Interbeing. I like to say Everything and Everyone Connected.

Recently, at age 50, a profound mystical experience of Jesus Christ moved me to look again at my childhood hero and contemplate how His Life is relevant in my life today. I have gained fresh insight into my central theme: Everything (This can be Another word for God or Great Spirit) and Everyone (Myself/Humanity) Connected. This new perspective promises to weave its way into my work and I’m very excited to see what that looks like. I will be writing more about this experience and adding it to this website soon.