Artist Statement

How does an artist tell us about their life? My recent paintings portray my hometown of Bethesda, Maryland. For me this is a very personal theme as I have seen this area go through many changes. From the construction of Barnes and Noble to the relocation of Uncle Julio’s Mexican Restaurant, I have seen downtown Bethesda go from a quiet neighborhood to a trendy urban center.

Just as the Impressionist, Gustav Caillebotte, painted the rainy Paris streets, I aim to capture the style of Bethesda as it continues to change. In my recent painting ‘Taste of Bethesda’, my purpose was to capture the festive atmosphere created by the crowd using loose brushstrokes. ‘Great Falls in Summer’ and ‘Great Falls in Autumn’ depict scenes with identical viewpoints, but completely different moods. I hope people in Bethesda can relate to my artwork since it characterizes the restaurants and meeting places we experience on a daily basis. As summer turns to autumn and autumn turns to winter, I paint patches of sunlight across the building facades, leaves turning orange and crimson, and mounds of snow as they bury our houses. This exhibit, ‘Impressions of Bethesda’, is a celebration of our community.