Artist Statement

I remember reading once that if you love what you do, it is not work.  Painting is my passion, and I am always looking for opportunities to spend more time doing what I love.

Subject matter used to be my main inspiration; now painting is more about the interplay of shape, value, and the effect of color.  Although I paint in a realistic style, the abstract areas of the work are what interest me the most.  I am amazed how swirls of paint can evoke so many things such as folds in cloth, waves, flowers—almost anything the imagination can see in the context of the subject matter.  Creating just the right interplay of realistic and abstract areas is the key to a successful work.  Although I like a sharp vision, I find the most important decisions I make involve what to edit out or leave loosely defined.  In my experience I have found that it is harder to paint nothing then it is to paint something.

Lately I have been experimenting with at times limiting my palette and working a little faster in order to keep things fresh.  Also, with my recent move to Maryland, I have been painting outside in Plein Air more. Whether or not I am painting outside, working from reference photos, or from a setup of a still life in the studio, I draw not only my observations but from my experience and intuition to help me achieve the results I am looking for.

The joy of the creative process, the challenge and excitement of developing as an artist continue to inspire me. I love the fact that each work I create is unique and my vision alone.  At the end of the day, I get to say this is what I saw, and I want my viewers to enjoy and share the vision.

- Lark MacPhail