It was never my intention to be an artist. But I read
"Lust for Life." The idea of drawing naked females
was of great interest to me. Besides I had no marketable
skills so I took the vow of poverty and became an artist.
Having said that, I must note that my first life career
choice was acting. My problem was that I don't work well
with other people. I solved one problem with my camera. Females
would without hesitation pose nude. I played to their vanity.
So far my career has been uneventful. But when you consider
I am 82 and still producing great works of art, things have
not been all that bad.
(written on a 2004 painting)
WHEN I visit old friends and see my early work, I am always surprised by what I did 30 or so years ago.
A part of the surprise is how similar my current work is to what I have done in the past. My technique is more developed,
but my subject matter has not changed that much. I am still involved with the figure and my work usually has strong sexual overtones.
I do not draw on nature for my inspiration. My art is conceived in the studio. I do not use models.
I paint with my canvas stretched and stapled to the studio wall. As soon as I finish a painting, I photograph it.
Putting the canvas on a stretcher comes last.
I find it difficult to discuss my work. I know I have strong feelings about religion, sex, love, government and justice.
Since all things are subjective, these elements vary depending on what I happen to be doing at the moment.
