Black and white photographs from the ‘20s-40s, discovered in family albums or in antique stores provide the inspiration for my new series SNAPSHOTS. I have chosen second generation immigrants in America for many reasons. I love the ill-fitting, hemmed clothes they wore – it contrasts sharply with the factory-produced clothes of today. They were poor, but seemingly happy, finding entertainment in healthy activities such as fishing, hunting, card games, sewing, or simply being close to their environment. Manual labor such as farming or working in the kitchen made them stronger, unlike our more sedentary lifestyle today. I admire these people and their way of life – such a contrast to my own.
Small photographs, often no larger than 3”x 5”, provide the inspiration for these 29”x 40” paintings. My first step is to scan the photograph and then print out an enlargement. I examine this larger image with a magnifying glass in order to see the myriad of details. In the painting process, the photo comes to life, every detail becoming pronounced and vivid. The photograph, once tiny and unnoticed, is now a grandiose painting commemorating a forgotten moment in time.
My style could be described as Photo Realism with a splash of Impressionism. I contrast carefully painted, realistic details with distant backgrounds of trees, sky, or clouds composed of daubs of paint. Making this series of paintings was, for me, like watching the original photos develop in a bath of chemicals – there is that excitement of watching image come to life.
I want the viewers of SNAPSHOTS to stir up some of their own nostalgic daydreams. Perhaps they’ll contrast their memories against today’s realities. I value this time period because there were no computers, video games, designer clothes, or fast food restaurants; it’s lacking the harsh norms of today’s society that seem to have such an adverse impact on our environment and our health.