Emanations (2014-17)

In my paintings entitled “Emanations,” I explore shadows of the human figure situated in the cosmos, drawing ideas from many philosophies and religious sources.

I oxidize silver leaf with a solution of liver of sulfur (sulfurated potash) on a variety of surfaces such as Japanese papers, translucent silk, recycled Kimono fabric, and sheet silver with the addition of oil, acrylic, and collage. The surfaces are protected with Renaissance Wax, a microcrystalline wax developed by the British Musuem.

The element of ritual in the repetition of images is important, since I often copy the same figure from one painting to the next as a meditative exercise, taking my lead from Tantric paintings and Giorgio Morandi.