Terrific Opening

at the Mass General Cancer Center in Boston tonight.  This was for the “Illuminations” project.  I was so touched that Jenn Dorsey and Beth Duncan Manzon both came to the opening, it meant the world to me.  The program places art in the waiting areas of the Cancer Center for patients, families and friends.  I can not think of a higher, better purpose for my paintings than this. 

I was asked to say a few words about my work and the moment was so unexpected that I completely flubbed it.  Naturally, I have been reliving that moment ever since.  If I had it back, here’s what I would say:

I am deeply honored to be a part of this program. 

My work is large format mixed media paintings.  They are dream-scapes, inspired by real trees and landscapes. 

In the tree work, I’m interested in the things that are brewing beneath the surface.  As they emerge from below, they can offer us fragile and unexpected detours in the branches of our lives.  The neighborhood pieces are also inspired by real places, but they are about how those places feel rather than being a direct representation of how they look.

So, that’s it.  Maybe next time I’ll be ready! (Thanks to John for the photos!)