My oil paintings explore the dynamic interplay between natural environments and the structured rhythm of urban spaces through the lens of Contemporary Impressionism. Anchored between the iconic energy of New York City and the timeless landscapes of Paris and the South of France, my work captures cinematic, narrative, and poetic human stories directly within the landscape.
As a former professional ballet dancer, I treat the canvas as a physical stage. I utilize rhythmic, fluid movements to choreograph the shifting interplay of light, form, and atmosphere. I am deeply fascinated by how light transforms the rigid geometry of urban spaces. By translating towering architecture, glowing streets, and natural vistas onto the canvas, I blend the boundaries between direct observation and emotional abstraction. Whether studying the intense, radiant light of the South of France or painting in Claude Monet’s garden at Giverny, my focus is never on literal documentation. Instead, I translate the shifting atmosphere into vibrant, abstracted color fields, freezing fleeting moments in time to invite viewers to experience the rhythmic heartbeat and romance of these environments.
My artistic roots lie in the tradition of the French Impressionists, but I interpret these scenes through a contemporary lens, prioritizing emotion, expressive texture, and modern color theory over strict realism. Using a palette knife and loose, expressive brushwork, I bring a dancer’s sense of movement and timing to the execution of my pieces. Through vibrant pigments, heavy impasto, and broken color techniques, I apply rich layers of oil paint to capture shifting light, creating a physical texture that mirrors the sensory experience of a place. I balance these dense areas by applying paint thinly in select passages; this delicate, translucent brushwork inspired by the soft, atmospheric quality of Pierre-Auguste Renoir creates breathing room on the canvas, allowing the heavy textures to truly pop. Ultimately, my work invites viewers to pause and recognize the quiet beauty, hidden choreography, and atmospheric romance within the chaotic rush of modern life.
