"Tribal Beat," original painting, 30" x 48"

Using primal imagery and earthy hues, this painting evokes an earlier time when people lived in tribes and life was less complicated than it is now. The "Stream of Consciousness" paintings are fun to work on. I start with a piece of scrunched up canvas, and pour paint over it to create wrinkles. The set-in wrinkles add texture and depth to the finished art. These paintings are built up in layers, using household objects scavenged from thrift stores to make interesting primal marks. My tools include spatulas, muffin tins, a colander, the rims of cups and bowls, bubble wrap and various ice cube trays. I see these paintings as a window into my subconscious mind. Starting with an idea drawn from a dream, an observation or a vision, I develop the composition without much conscious thought. I'm guided by intuition when making decisions about color and design, and the resulting pieces are evocative of ancient mystical art. Sustainability is an important part of my artistic practice, and this