"Abondoned stones which I became interested in invite me to enter into their life’s purpose. It is my task to define and make visible the intent of their being." Isamu Noguchi I continue in Noguchi’s path and have for many years. I think I have finally settled into painting of stones using the simplest of colors and relinquishing the need to draw the shapes of stones. Rather, focusing on the surfaces of the stones. Since I am partial to the granite pillars, I am going to construct six by two feet panels on which I will apply the simplest of colors and focus on textures. I am also inspired t o attempt this simplicity by Jerry McGlauglin however his panels are mostly black which is too bleak for my message. My granite colored pillars remind me of my “Stillpoint” series. If there is to be any color, it will mostly be the moss green representing the lichen that often grows on stones. I am using sand I brought home from FL, ash from my wood pellet stove, dry pigments and oils and CWM. My first attempt at this simplicity included a panel that has a small insert in which I will place an oval stone. Much like the painting I completed in 2002 titled "Genesis".

Genesis "GENESIS" was completed in 2002. It is oils on a panel 44x32 inches. Inserted is a small metal box in which I placed a small white stone. It was the first of my attempts during the years to show a hole inside a larger plane with something residing in it. Nineteen years later I find myself returning to my theme of stones. I have studied methods of using cold wax medium with the oil which allows one to build up layers quicker and add texture. Having majored in sculpture I suppose the textures appeal to me.

These stones are often egg like in shape. The title Genesis can apply to both stones and eggs. When on Easterly beach in Ireland, I was mesmorized by the many shapes of fossils throughout the stones on the beach. They were everywhere with algae adding the only colour on the black and white stones. The earlier works were based on colour fields. The more recent pieces focus on organic shapes including inserts within the shapes. I think Charles Simic's poem sums it up for me: “Go inside a stone. That would be my way. Let somebody else become a dove Or gnash with a tiger’s tooth I am happy to be a stone. I do not know what my love of stones means for me or for the world. In part, I respond to them because they were one of the first available surfaces which man was able to write their developing alphabets and bourgeoining words; the future way to communicate and record history. The enclosed fossils record the physical history of the organic earth.

The smaller dark stone was completed in 2020 and will be on display at the annual Monadnock Art Tour. It's 12x12 inches on panel, oils and cold wax on panel.