Tribes

The inspiration for the "Tribe" works is the raw action and visceral emotion that surrounds these subjects, by men, in their martial efforts. In fact, it is this experience as it is felt by man that is being examined and portrayed.

All aspects of these works have been thought through and selected to provide the viewer with maximum stimulation in an effort to deliver the feeling of these scenes. An example would be how the colors within the paintings relate directly to the pallet of our soldier’s current equipment inventory and the terrain that they operate upon. Also noted will be the mixing of abstraction and realism. This is done to encourage the viewers to search out all of the veiled elements within the series. In so doing they are rewarded with an understanding of the gritty emotional truth of the subject rather than just a pretty picture. These concepts can be understood by reviewing the piece “Stand In The Door”. All elite soldiers know the transitional feeling of exiting the belly of a screaming C-130 as it bounces through the air. They first view the distant terrain and whipping static lines of the paratroopers who preceded them as they feel the dank hot atmosphere of the ship yield to the fresh turbulence of the sky. This painting reminds those that know, and delivers to those that don’t, the energy and feel of this experience. The other “Tribes” paintings do the same in their own regard.

All of these paintings have utilized actual hardware, technology and scenes of the military as their inspiration. These scenes have been coupled with the emotion and feeling that accompanies them in life. This coupling provides the viewer with an understanding of what our warriors feel, as they experience, just as all tribes have felt throughout time.

"Black Hawk Trio" was awarded best of show at the Cambridge National Prize Show. Jurer Thomas Lentz, director of the Smithsonian and Harvard International Galleries, selected this piece from among 5000 other works for this honor.