Many of my collectors have come to appreciate my work through the
abstracts I have been working on for the last few years. I also have a
base of clients who have long enjoyed the representational work I do
and at the same time there are others who respond strongly to my
Asian-inspired brushwork. So, what is going on here? Some have asked
about my varied styles of work. Shouldn't I just pick one? Do I have a
problem making a decision? I realize that from the outside it must be
somewhat confusing. So, I decided I should explain a little about my
art and where it comes from.

Most artists develop a style, then
focus on that style, refining it, and simultaneously guiding and being
guided by that particular style. The style of art that a particular
artist works in, becomes their mode of expression, of documenting their
relationship to a particular thought or idea. If the artist is serious
about their work, their style will evolve over time, sometimes
dramatically, other times very subtly.

Perhaps because I am a
self-taught artist, my style developed out of an intuitive relationship
to my art, rather than from any formal structure. From an early age I
felt a need to express myself through art, even if at the time, I
wasn't quite sure what it was (or that I was) expressing. My deep love
of nature gave me a subject to focuson as I learned different tools and mediums to create my works of art.
I even turned to writing for some time, when I felt my relationship to
art becoming strained and forced.

To me abstract,
representational, or brush painting styles are all very strongly
connected. They do not appear very different to me at all. I have
called myself an interstitial artist, because I never felt I could
classify my art within a particular group. Lately, I have been thinking
about the idea of my art being intuitive. Perhaps
Intuitive-Interstitial? But, why apply any labels? Regardless of what I
am creating, I strive for the piece to be authentic. I utilize a lot of
meditation, either before or during my painting that helps to keep me
connected to that authentic source, be it Spirit, God, Unity (again,
more labels).

The art I create is challenging. It pushes me.
Sometimes it is agonizing, verging on painful, but when the painting is
finished and it successfully resonates with that authenticity, I
experience joy. This joy grows stronger when I learn that my work
reaches and affects others in a positive way. I know then, that I
listened well to that inner voice and remained true to the Source that makes each of us both unique and the same.

Originally,
when I posted my work on my website, I grouped it all together because,
to me, it all seemed the same. However, I realize that the connection,
from the outside viewer, may not be so clear. But please don't let the
separate galleries keep you from seeing those relationships. If you go
to my page on Fine Art America
you will see that I didn't separate my work. Each piece on that site
has a description about it that gives background about the development
and what the painting means to me. Perhaps, from there, you too will
see that each piece is both unique and the same.

DoAn

MEMBERS COMMENTS VIEWING 1 - 2 OUT OF 2 COMMENTS From: sarj259 04/26/2008 08:46:55 I'm with you and nicely worded. I am self taught and work in several mediums. I have been criticized and labeled indecisive but it just isn't true. All of my work has a similar flavor regardless of the medium and I take great joy in combining the mediums. For me art is about the challenge, the problem solving. I guess you could say I love the chase. When my critics get too loud I am quick to point out (not that there is any comparison as far as talent goes) Michaelangelo, LC Tiffany, Bernini. They didn't stick to one subject, method or medium. If anyone called them unfocused or indecisive they don't now. I say explore! It's all about the journey. From: alston 04/26/2008 08:13:44 DoAn, I viewed your work on Fine Art America, VERY NICE.