I have always been interested in the interface of image and text. This interest has led me to such varied areas as manuscript illumination, Middle Eastern as well as European, East Asian painting, and ancient architecture (e.g. Egyptian, Mayan). Working with watercolor/gauche on paper/parchment is certainly the core of my work. I am also an accomplished calligrapher, doing all styles of western lettering and some Chinese calligraphy. The rich textures of medieval manuscript illumination, spanning centuries and cultures, have all inspired me. From the dark age styles of illumination, Celtic, Carolinian, (and the English tradition that blends them), leading to the Romanesque, then the later Gothic styles, refined French, the linear English, the more Byzantine German, and the more baroque round hand styles of southern Europe. Persian illumination has also been a strong influence on my work. I also have a keen interest in Chinese and Japanese painting, which is traditionally often combined with calligraphy.
Working in a range of media including watercolor, Chinese watercolor, mo (sumi), acrylics, scratchboard, and pen & ink, I find solutions for particular problems. There is a surprising level of continuity between the use of ink (and sometimes watercolor) on paper in Asian painting, and the use of ink and watercolor in medieval European illumination. Having a wide range of interest in historic styles gives me a strong place to start in solving different problems.
