My work combines figurative realism with abstract expressionism. I choose subjects and techniques that reinforce each other. The figurative element of my work is designed to call on memories while the abstract elements are designed to evoke emotion. I feel that the contrast and complementary nature of these two styles combine to create a cohesive whole that brings the viewer to a time and place, both in their mind and their emotions.
The layering, additive, and subtractive techniques that I use are designed to create a sense of timelessness in the painting. I am often combining vintage imagery with a contemporary application. This further obscures the time and place that the painting appears to have been created. I seek to create images that look like they were both made today and a hundred years ago. I use techniques that involve scraping and creating the appearance of weathering to further unfocus the place in time of these pieces.
The contrast between the figurative and abstract is in a constant state of flux, and the techniques I use are constantly evolving. The two styles both inspire and inform each other and lead to new directions and discoveries.
-Mackey