TOY SERIES: 25toys 1999 -2000

I arrived at a point in my painting where there was a definite need to work from life rather than from photographs.

This series is a continuation of the use of multiple paintings that also combine as one piece. Within the sequential group I continue an emphasis on color diversity but also I begin a new focus on surface quality - something I've never done so consciously before. Working wet into wet paint thickly seemed necessary in order to more fully explore the idea of 'plastic' that I found attractive in my new subjects. The choice of toys was initially guided by the generic plastic kitsch that I identify with growing up in the 1970's and, also, a surreal attraction to certain shapes that seem to have begged me to squeeze and/or bite into.

The essential formal qualities that advertising and industrial design has been tapping into for maximum effect on an audience is definitely one part of the dialogue I’ve had in my studio.

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