The artwork on this site covers a wide range of media and thought/expression. The site is In-Process which means it offers a view of the evolution of my work and something of the thought behind it, as opposed to presenting a product line. At present I've begun to explore mostly along the lines of digitally manipulated imagery. Other important areas of work are Paintings in Oil; Dolls; Reflective Collages; and Drawings. I personally have always felt that the "art" that an artist makes is more the record of the passage of the life and mind of a creative person, than marketing. As such, I'm more interested in engaging in a dialogue with the audience, and in expressing my points-of-view through my life's work.

I'm very excited lately with the progress of a series of self-portraits as Digital Images, and in my investigations into the "GOETIA." You will find a lot of recent work in those directions here and in some of the links. My oil painting is in the process of turning a corner. I'm experimenting with a glazing system of colors on slow and patient work. But it progresses. The Collages done in reflective materials, offer a lighter part of my vision and tend to be grounded in personal mythology and projections of an inner world.

NOTES on THE GOETIA

These represent the first pieces to reach completion in my Everett, Washington studio. These are primarily 'photo-manipulations,' and incorporate a sense of dark whimsy. The earliest of these images dates from mid-April of '08. Certainly they are an attempt to make sense of and represent through interpretation, a period of chthonic change in my life and in the lives of everyone I know.

Descriptive Reviews beside the imagery are taken from Aleister Crowley's and Samuel Liddell MacGregor Mathers' observations in the "THE GOETIA -- The Lesser Key of Solomon the King" as introduced by Aleister Crowley. Red Wheel/Weiser Books, 1995. With the exception of the description of Lucifer which is taken from Wikipedia.

The images are not meant to be illustrated graphic accuracies which toe the lines drawn in Crowley/Mathers' descriptions, but are rather, personal and in many cases in-process interpretations, based on the intrinsic aspects of the characters evoked in the section entitled, "Shemhamphorash." These are personal artistic interpretations intended to reflect internal processes and reflections inspired by the dark era through which we are presently surviving, and in no way are meant to reflect the views or processes of the Ordo Templi Orientis, or any other order, temple, or church. I certainly do not intend to get involved in or take a side in any of the internal politics of Order of the Golden Dawn, or any other group concerned with arcane wisdom.

I intentionally have used myself as subject and model, for two reasons, the first being that the use of another subject might sink into the distortion of features to caricature or mockery, which is in no way intended. The other reason I've used my own image is because through the exploration of these characters, I've found a more direct line to my own subconscious emotional settings, much as an actor might through the use of 'sense-memories,' and as such I strive for the most accurate internal depictions of the concepts as I can fathom them.

In some ways I've found similarities in digital manipulations to the utilization of a "black mirror," in magickal evocation -- and this may pose a question about the utility of a computer or video screen in place of the traditional polished black stone for ceremonial applications, particularly for those more inclined towards "Chaos Magick."

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Part of what I've been contending with in my recent ideas is the question: "For Whom does the Artist create?" I think I agree with those who say that the artist who creates for himself is a fool. It's too isolating. What applications then does one choose to apply her or himself to in order to fully "juice," the work, and connect with the all-essential audience? My recent involvement with the self-portrait -- both in it's infernal, and normal mode reflects this search -- in the context of some rather difficult times for the world and its social microspheres. I think there is no solid solution to this problem, but rather an evolution -- a dialectic.

I'm open to conversation about the Arts. I'm open to hear your point-of-view and interest. Contact me if you'd like.

We are all potentially the historic representatives of some very challenging times. Do it well. Enjoy!