from the beginning

To ensure quality surfaces on which to work, I build my own canvases. This is time consuming but I can create any size I want and feel sure that the canvas will stand up to my sometimes rigorous work processes. First I cut my pine stock to size, then glue, screw and reinforce the stretcher. Last the canvas is cut from my roll and stretched tought over the frame. Then it's ready for paint.

The canvases are then laid on the floor or hung on the wall where they get initial washes. It takes a good day for this stage to dry. In these images, on my floor are two matching canvases, 30 inches by 20 inches which will become a diptych and on my wall is a 48 inch by 36 inch start for a larger piece that will become LYRICAL LINES.

The finished works: 1) Diptych, FRESH, acrylic, 30 x 40; 2) LYRICAL LINES, acrylic, 36 x 48