Hidden Domains

Like many people, I sometimes pass ancient or abandoned dwellings slowly decaying into their surroundings, and I ponder both the stories of the place and the people who long ago left them, The ancient ruins, like those in New Mexico, or Mesa Verde, Colorado have a documented history, even if there are unanswered questions.

Chaco Canyon, New Mexico

 Mesa Verde

Other ruins are often found out on the West Texas flat lands, old farmhouses or barns gently disintegrating into their environment. Just a forgotten place, a lost history.

When I do abstract paintings they may seem to be just an exercise in colour, form, and design, but I often tap into meanings that come forth in the process. In the case of my new series of small works, and in a number of previous abstract paintings, there seems to emerge a mysterious sense of place, geometric forms that suggest structures, often lonely, vacated structures, weathered by time and nature. In each image there seems to be a window, a door, or even a crack opening into another place, another time. I like the fact that my subconscious can dwell in these places, calm, silent, and solitary.

Forgotten Place-2013

The Guardian-2013

Hidden Domain Quartet-2016

 The series, framed.

A smaller image, 5" x 5"

 And sometimes, even a tiny 4" square of scrap watercolour paper, with a few strokes of paint on it, can evoke a sense of place.


Mesa-2016