One of my heroes is Joseph Campbell, whose work with the world's great myths enlightened millions of readers to the "clues of our deepest spiritual potential, able to lead us to delight, illumination, and even rapture." Now it's my turn to make an attempt to penetrate the masks of a few spectacular gods to create visual metaphors for the invisible — through abstraction.

Based on my series, "Color Leak," the building blocks of art: color, shape, texture, and line are my tools to compose the expression of their contents. Themes of love, war, justice, trouble, kindness, and more will challenge the painter as well as the viewer to a non-objective appreciation of these supernatural character studies.

 

 

 

Whether it's honoring a loved one, living or dead, with a portrait mask, or evoking an animal spirit for tribal protection, these masks reflect deep belief in their supernatural powers. As in other mythologies, these spirit beings and their meanings are rich in story.

In this series of ten enhanced prints, the multi-media still life process is photography, colored pencil, and pastel. The masks are from my personal collection and, with one exception, are accompanied by an indigenous bird and regional flora. Nearly all have been worn in tribal ceremonies.

 

 

 

 

( ADDITIONAL TRIBAL ALLEGORY WORKS ARE IN PROGRESS )