Once I moved to California to attend Art Center in Los Angeles, I eventually was drawn to the vastness of the ocean and the crashing of the waves on the endless shoreline and beaches, both in Southern and Northern California.

The Pacific Ocean’s power took on more significance or magnitude for me as a sense of place than the calm, contemplative dark lakes of Minnesota where I grew up.

BEING OBSESSED WITH THE KELP FOREST INFORMS MY AVENIDA SERIES

For me there is a correlation between the generally cold Minnesota lake water and the constant 55-degree temperature of the ocean water in the San Francisco Bay area–where I lived for 30 years. I remained “on the surface” of the water in Minnesota, but would constantly imagine myself scuba diving down underwater to be “one” with the swaying kelp beds and to observe the schools of meandering fish in Northern California, especially in Monterey Bay. I never brought that to reality, but continued to have that vision in my mind.

I couldn’t get enough of going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium when I lived in California to view the giant hypnotic Kelp Forest aquarium. Being a tropical fish hobbyist as a kid, I was in a complete trance with the undulation of the long kelp fronds while schools of colorful fish moved slowly around in suspended animation fashion.

TAKING KELP BEDS UP TO A MORE FUN LEVEL

My Avenida Series is an abstract painting series that evolved from my mental snapshots of the fascinating kelp beds. It builds on those memories and uses them on a more energetic, abstract, and fun level. I create these paintings as single square works, then assemble three complimentary frames. Each print is then issued in triptych form. Like Avenida Triptych 007 shown at the top of this post.

DEVELOPED IN THE DRY, HIGH DESERT

I think it interesting that this abstract painting series came out of me while here in the high desert of Santa Fe, New Mexico, where the landscape is largely devoid of water.

As with most of my work, painting energetically off the boundaries of the canvas is integral to what I do. For me it expands the painting and allows the viewer to have an amplified or extended visual experience.

I invite you to explore the entire Avenida Series here.

MY AVENIDA SERIES WORKS IN ANY ENVIRONMENT THE WAY YOU WANT. THERE ARE 8 CONTEMPORARY ART PRINTS TO CHOOSE FROM.

SHOP AVENIDA SERIES