Older East Bay Landscapes

My art practice is concerned with the representation of contested spaces, spaces in transition because of climate change or gentrification. In the words of curator Amy Spencer, “These paintings present a visual tour of how the East Bay’s natural and industrialized beauty exists side-by-side.” I prefer working en plein air because it imparts a freshness to the brushwork that is difficult to achieve in the studio, working from a photo. Using tide charts, weather forecasts and Google maps allows me to find fresh views of locations well-known by Bay Area residents. I alternate between acrylic and oil guided by the weather and do very little to them once I’m back in the studio.