The Command Series addresses, on the surface, one of the most accessible, loveable and exploited subjects on earth: dogs. This new series explores qualities often considered admirable in both dogs and humans: loyalty, devotion, obedience, enthusiasm, optimism, trust... but such disciplined and admirable virtues in dogs become far less appealing in humans when submission to those disciplines results in our subjugation and/or butchery of other humans. In addressing the gap between the potential for human decency and an often brutally cruel reality, I'm attempting to balance anger and apathy with humor and horror. With a sincere belief in compassionate human strength, this work addresses our pervasive weakness with varying degrees of humor. I want to combine immediate and exciting painting with broader concepts, and the desire of initiating a dialog on the topic of humane critical thinking.

The principal images are familiar, common and clichéd, thus many of the pieces incorporate images borrowed from the world of advertising, and even clip art. Canine iconography in art history is extensive and is consistently used in marketing a vast array of object and ideas (including fine art) because it makes us feel good about ourselves, "We must be good - we love our dogs and they love us..."

Inspiration
About 3 am on February 18, 2007 I woke up with an idea for a series of 10 pieces. I got up and wrote it down. At that point, I was working on another series, Footprints, which is a landscape based mixed media series primarily about the environment. I was looking for a more powerful way to express the ideas that I have on the subject. When I got the idea for the dogs I was very excited, it was going to be fun to develop. The Command Series was intended to be a playful tangent to explore some verbal puns and some new techniques, but it is expanding. I can't really say exactly where it is going; the project seems to have its own momentum.

Process
The technical process for this series involves reverse oil painting directly onto clear acrylic sheets. I use stencils, spray paint, pencils, masking tape, and traditional oil painting. The next step involves the selection and placement of photos and objects that are designed to expand the physical and conceptual depth of the piece in a quest for new questions and relationships.

Awards

2-D Best of Show, Ocala Arts Festival 2007

2nd Place Mixed Media, Maitland Arts Festival 2007

Award of Excellence, Museum Purchase Award - Deland Fall Festival of the Arts 2007

Judges Choice, Gainesville Downtown Festival 2007

Award of Distinction, Museum Purchase Award - Halifax Art Festival 2007

1st Place Painting, Space Coast Art Festival 2007

Award of Distinction, Palm Harbor Art Festival 2007

Best Of Show, Winter Park Autumn Art Festival 2007

Warden Family Foundation For Mixed Media 2007, Boardwalk Art Show, Virginia Beach, VA

Best of Show, Tarpon Springs Fine Arts Show 2007, Tarpon Springs, FL

Best of Show, Lake Wales Art Show 2007

Award of Excellence, 2007 Mayfaire By The Lake, Lakeland, FL

Museum Purchase Awards (2), 2007- Polk Museum of Art, Lakeland, FL

Lake Wales Art Society Purchase Award 2007

Best in Show, Lake Eustis Festival 2007, Eustis, FL

Award of Distinction, Santa Fe Spring Arts Festival 2007, Gainesville FL

Best in Show, Leesburg Festival of Art 2007, Leesburg, FL

Judges Choice, Central Park Art Festival 2007, Winter Haven, FL

Judges Choice, Images: A festival of the Arts 2007, New Smyrna, FL

1st Place, Lake Highlands Art Show, Sebring, FL

2nd Place Mixed Media, Melbourne Arts Festival 2007

1st place Mixed Media, Port Orange Art Fest 2007

Morse Museum Award, Winter Park Autumn Festival 2006

Best of Show, Central Park Art Festival 2006, Winter Haven, FL

1st Place Painting, Space Coast Art Festival 2006

Best of Show, Maitland Rotary Art Show 2006