All of my paintings, landscape, still life, or portraits, are based on careful observation, study
and thought about the subject. The objective is always to convey respect for the subjects,
representing them with the honesty and integrity that they deserve.
Recently I have been working on a series of paintings called
Portraits of Integrity. This work consists
of a sampling of historical figures whose lives were defined by good
character. Some were notable for
their fundamental contributions to the knowledge and understanding of
the physical world, others helped
to secure the rights of people to a free and safe society. Each
conducted their lives with courage, hard
work, self-discipline, honesty, humility, and personal
responsibility.
Unfortunately, in today's social media dominated environment,
concepts of humility, personal responsibility, and respect for the
truth are not always encouraged. Contemporary pressures of social
media, particularly on younger people, lead toward the admiration of
those obtaining notoriety with very little accomplishment. The
subjects represented in my paintings are meant as an educational
opportunity for the viewer to contemplate real historical figures
whose conduct reminds us about the dignity and potential of human
beings. Their value was not based on a number of followers or any
type of popular approval rating. Each of these individuals was an
extraordinary person and, as such, a signifier of how good character
elevates and enhances all of our lives.